Press Release

Correctional staff successfully stop inmates attempting suicide and self-harm

     Correctional Services Department (CSD) staff prevented two inmates from attempting suicide at two cells at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LCKRC) yesterday evening (February 16).

     Two remand inmates were seen trying to hang themselves in their cells and were reported to have told the duty staff that they wanted to kill themselves. Upon staff intervention, they were found conscious and no apparent injury was discovered. The institutional medical officer subsequently referred one remand inmate with a history of mental illness to an outside hospital for intensive examination while the other remand inmate was relocated to a protected room for closer observation. They will be followed up by the department's clinical psychologists.

     Another inmate of Tong Fuk Correctional Institution (TFCI), believed to have been disturbed by personal affairs, was found to have attempted self-harm by drinking some alleged diluted cleansing solution seized from another inmate performing cleaning duty yesterday. He was referred to an outside hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.

     A CSD spokesperson said, "The department has been using all possible measures to prevent people in its custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. The measures include administrative arrangements, improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     The two remand inmates at LCKRC, both aged 32, were respectively charged with attempted burglary and remaining in Hong Kong without authority. The inmate who inflicted self-harm at TFCI, aged 24, was convicted of burglary and theft.

Ends/Friday, February 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:50

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