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SUHAKAM
including the deceased, through two psychological tests namely the
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and Multidimensional
Self-Esteem Inventory (MSEI). The results of the deceased’s mental
state in March 2019 was that he was normal.
Recommendation
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The Prison must monitor prisoners as best as possible to prevent
any suicides, although it is not always possible to thwart them
from taking their own life. That is more so when the prisoner has a
mental health issue and it is beyond the warders’ control to prevent
suicide. SUHAKAM recommends that warders who guard the blocks,
especially those housing prisoners on death row, be given training
in basic psychology so they can identify any strain, suicidal ideation
and symptoms of depression.
The action taken by the Prison to watch death row cells every
10 minutes as reasonable. However, suicidal prisoners might
commit suicide anytime and as such SUHAKAM recommends that
prisoners who are identified as suicidal be given special care and
attention. Their cell should be close to the place where warders
can take immediate action. SUHAKAM recommends prisoners
attempting to commit suicide be referred to a psychiatrist at the
nearest hospital.
SUHAKAM recommends that the Prisons Department collect
data and statistics on suicides in prisons across the country to
formulate preventive measures and to train warders in addressing
such incidents.
The death of Orhions Ewansiha Thomas in Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot,
Kuala Lumpur
SUHAKAM initiated an investigation into the death Nigerian student
Orhions Ewansiha Thomas while he was detained at the Bukit Jalil
Immigration Detention Centre on 9 July 2019. The Immigration
Department arrested him during a raid on 4 July 2019. SUHAKAM recorded
statements from 40 witnesses, that is, Immigration officials and police,
family members, friends of the deceased as well as representatives from
the university where Thomas was studying.
Thomas died of a heart attack. However, SUHAKAM found several
contributing factors may have led to his death. While the deceased
informed the authorities that he suffered from high blood pressure,