Press Release

Correctional staff stops inmate from attempting self-harm

     Officers of the Correctional Services Department stopped a person in custody from attempting self-harm due to emotional distress at Lai King Correctional Institution today (September 7).

     At about 9am, an officer found the 15-year-old female inmate inflicting minor injuries on her neck and wrist with a piece of broken plastic inside the classroom. The officer stopped her immediately.  She was in conscious condition at the time.

     Officers immediately provided her with counselling and treatment in the centre hospital, and subsequently sent her to Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre for further assessment. As she revealed to the officer later that she had swallowed a hair clip, she was immediately transferred to a government hospital for further observation and treatment.

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

     The inmate was sent to the training centre for theft offence in December 2010.

Ends/Friday, September 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 22:08

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