Remand inmate pepper-sprayed after attack at Siu Lam centre
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A male remand inmate at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre attacked a correctional officer in a hospital ward on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate response from staff. After warnings failed, officers used pepper spray to subdue him, while the injured officer was later referred to a public hospital for further treatment.
Key Points
- The incident happened at about 1:34pm on September 16 inside a hospital ward at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, according to the Correctional Services Department.
- The inmate was a 20-year-old man on remand who suddenly became emotionally unstable and assaulted a correctional officer on duty.
- Officers at the scene intervened at once and, after their warnings proved ineffective, used pepper spray to bring the attacker under control.
- The assaulted correctional officer suffered an eye injury, received initial treatment from the institution's doctor, and was then referred to a public hospital.
- The attacker sustained facial and neck injuries, was treated by the institution's doctor, did not need hospitalisation, and had been remanded over illegal entry and remaining in Hong Kong without the Director of Immigration's authorisation
Why It Matters
The case has been handed to law enforcement authorities for investigation, so further scrutiny is likely to focus on how the disturbance unfolded inside a secure medical ward and how force was used to stop it. For Hong Kong readers, the incident draws attention to operational risks faced by frontline correctional staff when handling emotionally unstable inmates in custodial medical settings.