Inmate found dead at Coloane Prison

An inmate was found dead inside the lavatory of her cell at the Coloane Prison in the early hours of yesterday morning, the Correctional Services Bureau (DSC) has confirmed.

The 35-year-old resident of mainland China had been in the preventive detention at the Coloane Prison since January 2020, for the crimes of “aggravated homicide and committing the crime of prohibited weapons.”

She was sentenced to 24 years in prison. 

At around 3:26 a.m. yesterday, while the guards were patrolling the cells, everything was in its usual state. However, when the guards returned to patrol at 3:40 a.m., they discovered that the inmate appeared to have hanged herself.

When the guards came to her, her heart was still beating and she was breathing poorly.

The prison medical team arrived at the scene to provide first aid and summoned the ambulance to transport her to the public hospital for emergency treatment. However, the death of the inmate was confirmed at 4:49 a.m. after unsuccessful emergency treatment. The incident was referred to the Judiciary Police for investigation.

The inmate committed self-
harm and attempted suicide in 2020, therefore, she had been provided with psychiatric counselling sessions.

At the same time, security and surveillance measures were reinforced, including an increase in the frequency of patrolling prison guards and the placement of the inmate in a non-individual cell so as to benefit from the care of her cellmates.

The DSC said it has contacted the inmate’s family to provide the necessary assistance and support. 

The Social Welfare Bureau (lAS) encourages residents to be conscious of their psychological and emotional state as well as those of their relatives and friends. If in need, residents can call Caritas’ Life Hope hotline (28525222) or IAS’ counseling hotline (28261126). LV