A female inmate has been found dead inside her cell at Coloane Prison, after committing suicide by hanging herself with a towel.
The deceased is a non-resident, aged 35. She was confined to Coloane Prison in January 2020 for aggravated murder and carrying a prohibited weapon, after being sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Her body was found at around 3:30 am on 17 May, during a routine patrol. Prison staff said that the inmate used a towel to hang herself in the cell bathroom. When the guards released her from the towel, she was still breathing and had a faint heartbeat. The prison medical team arrived on the scene to provide first aid and summoned an ambulance to transport her to the hospital for emergency treatment. However, it was confirmed that the inmate had died by 4:49 am after the emergency treatment was unsuccessful.
After the woman self-harmed and attempted suicide in 2020, the prison services provided psychiatrists for diagnosis, treatment and continuous monitoring, as well as counselling, care and assistance which was provided by social service and psychology staff. Security and surveillance measures were strengthened, including increased frequency of patrols and installing the inmate in a group cell to benefit from care by her cellmates.
The incident has been referred to the Judiciary Police for investigation. The Correctional Services commented that it “deeply regrets the occurrence and has contacted the inmate’s family to provide necessary assistance and support”, TDM reported.
