Human Rights Commission recommends measures to prevent recurrence of the 'Anyang Prison Shelter Death Case'

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea recommended the Minister of Justice to come up with measures to prevent recurrence in connection with the death of prisoners in the Anyang Prison Protection Room.

The Human Rights Commission said on the 25th of last month that it recommended to the Minister of Justice and the head of Anyang Prison to inspect facilities in correctional facilities nationwide and to minimize the simultaneous use of protective equipment.

Earlier in March, Anyang Prison prisoner A died after being quarantined in a shelter wearing three protective equipment at the same time for arguing with other prisoners or going on a rampage.

The shelter is a place to accommodate people who are suicidal, self-inflicted or in need of special protection due to illness, and the prison explained that A was held in the shelter because he seemed extremely excited, such as trying to attack other inmates and staff.

However, given that A had never committed suicide or self-harm, the commission considered that it was unnecessary to put him in a shelter, and that the prison used three protective equipment at the same time excessively restricted human dignity and physical freedom.