Police Conduct Search of Dongbu Detention Center Following Sudden Death of Solitary Confinement Inmate

by Lee Jungyun

Published 31 Mar.2021 18:43(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The police have launched a forced investigation into the death of an inmate held in solitary confinement at Seoul Eastern Detention Center.

Seoul Songpa Police Station announced that they have been conducting a search and seizure of the Eastern Detention Center's closed-circuit television (CCTV) control room and medical department since the morning of the 31st.

Earlier, at around 6:30 a.m. on the 8th, Im Mo (48), a detainee awaiting trial at the Eastern Detention Center, was found lying face down in a state of weak breathing and consciousness. He was transported to the hospital after receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation but passed away.

The police began an investigation after receiving a complaint from the inmate's family accusing the head of the detention center and others of professional negligence resulting in death and dereliction of duty. The family filed the complaint after reviewing the detention center's CCTV footage, which showed that the deceased took six pills from a staff member the day before his death and later appeared to be in distress, yet the detention center allegedly neglected its duty of care. They also claimed that the detention center conducted an autopsy without consent and pressured them to proceed with the funeral.

In response, the Ministry of Justice stated, "The deceased had been consistently taking psychiatric medication following a specialist's diagnosis after admission, and the medication taken the day before death was also psychiatric medicine." They added, "In cases of unnatural death, autopsies are conducted based on a warrant issued by the court and under the direction of the prosecution, regardless of the family's consent," and said they have instructed the Seoul Regional Correctional Office to investigate the circumstances of the death clearly.