Press Release

Correctional officers rescue inmate from hanging attempt

     Correctional officers rescued a female inmate who attempted to hang herself in Lo Wu Correctional Institution yesterday (July 17).

      At about 9.26pm, an on-duty officer noticed that the 34-year-old female inmate was attempting to hang herself by tying a loop made with a bed sheet onto the grille bars of her dormitory toilet. The officer summoned reinforcement immediately and released the inmate from the loop quickly with the assistance of other inmates of the dormitory.

      The dormitory was unlocked upon the arrival of the reinforcement and first aid was applied to the inmate. She was conscious at the time. The officers sent her to the centre hospital for medical treatment and subsequently transferred her to a public hospital for further check-up. A clinical psychologist will follow up the case.

      A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent people 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 inmate was convicted for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:09

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