Press Release

Correctional officer stops person in custody attempting suicide

     A correctional officer stopped a 48-year-old male person in custody attempting suicide in Tong Fuk Correctional Institution today (March 11).

     At 1.51pm today, a correctional officer escorted the person in custody from the institution hospital to the garment workshop. On the walkway of the first floor, the person in custody suddenly dashed towards the railing and tried to climb over it. The correctional officer immediately stopped the act. However, the person in custody struggled vigorously, broke away from the officer and jumped over the railing. The person in custody sustained injuries to his feet but was found conscious. Medical staff immediately arrived at the scene to provide treatment and summoned the Government Flying Service to send the person in custody to a public hospital for further treatment.

     On March 9, a correctional officer was aware that the person in custody was distressed by a family problem and thus referred him to the institution medical officer and clinical psychologist for follow-up and treatment at the institution hospital. At the juncture of the incident, the person in custody was being escorted from the institution hospital back to the garment workshop.

     A clinical psychologist of the department will follow up on the case.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in its custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, the improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence in August 2019.

Ends/Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:00