Different studies have shown that self-injury occurs regularly and recurrently in a subset of prison inmates. Many a time such behaviour occurs under drug intoxication, depression, frustration and as an avenue to release their pent up emotions. There are prisoners who indulge in deliberate self-harm (DSH) to seek attention from the prison staff, co-prisoners and family members. Though DSH is not lethal but it is a strong predictor of repetition of DSH and attempted suicide in near future. So it becomes necessary to seriously take each case of DSH and evaluate it. Attempting suicide is no longer a crime in India with the health ministry notifying on May 29, the Mental Healthcare Act 2017. When a violent prisoner is being restrained of icers involved and the person supervising must look out any of the following signs 1. Exceptional or unexpected strength 2. Unusual rise in body temperature 3. Exceptional violence 4. Abnormally high tolerance for pain 5. Noisy or laboured breathing 6. Sudden or abnormal passivity 7. Coughing or foaming from the mouth 8. Face, lip, arms or legs becoming blue/purple or very pale 90. How to manage an event of Deliberate self-harm? Two levels of supervision are generally recommended for those at heightened risk for DHS/suicide. 1. Close observation: It should be considered for inmates not actively suicidal but who are expressing suicidal ideation or have a selfdestructive behaviour. Intervals between observations do not exceed 15 minutes. 2. Constant observation: It is for those who are deemed to be at high risk of suicide such as those actively engaging in self-harm or there is behaviour of imminent self-harm. The observation should be continuous and uninterrupted. The intervention policy should be three fold: 1. The medical staff should be CPR/First aid trained and necessary aid MEDICAL DIMENSION OF FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED CASES | 64