The conundrum of hanging points in correctional facilities.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to explore aspects of the removal of hanging points from correctional facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
An argument can be made that individuals have a right to die/suicide. The United Nations holds that except for freedom of movement, prisoners have the same rights as non-prisoners. The rights of the individual and the duty of many custodial institutions are in conflict. This introduces a conundrum; when all hanging points are removed from correctional facilities, prisoners without mental disorder, but with a sustained wish to die, will not be able to achieve that end, while non-prisoners will be well able to do so.
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
Saxby
S
Pridmore
Post-Graduate Student, Australian National Medical School, Gurran, ACT, Australia.
William
W
Pridmore
D006801:Humans; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011330:Prisons; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
hanging; prison; suicide; suicide prevention