Human Rights Commission Recommends 'Recurrence Prevention' for Psychiatric Institutions Using Isolation and Restraint for Punishment Purposes

National Human Rights Commission of Korea building. Photo by Human Rights Commission

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has recommended the implementation of measures to prevent recurrence regarding psychiatric medical institutions that isolate and restrain hospitalized patients as a form of punishment and admit them without confirming their intention to be hospitalized.

On the 8th, the Human Rights Commission announced that it conveyed these recommendations to the director of Hospital A and advised the relevant authorities to conduct special guidance and supervision. The Commission stated, "Hospital A violated the self-determination rights of the hospitalized individuals, which was the original purpose of introducing the voluntary admission system," and added, "Although isolation and restraint cannot be implemented as punitive measures for patient management convenience or behavioral issues, these standards were not followed, infringing on the patients' physical freedom."

Previously, a complainant who was hospitalized at Hospital A believed that they had been admitted by a guardian. However, upon reviewing the admission application, it was revealed that the complainant was voluntarily admitted and could be discharged if they wished, yet they were denied discharge. The complainant also filed a grievance claiming human rights violations, including being isolated and restrained for allegedly stealing another patient's cigarette.

Through investigation, the Human Rights Commission confirmed that the signature on the voluntary admission application, which the complainant was supposed to personally complete and submit, did not match the complainant’s handwriting. Additionally, some of the discharge intention confirmation documents, which must be verified every two months after admission, also differed from the complainant’s handwriting. Furthermore, procedural issues were identified, such as the complainant’s sister, who is not a legal guardian, signing the voluntary admission application. The Commission also found that Hospital A did not record whether there was a risk of self-harm or harm to others in the isolation and restraint logs, suggesting that these measures were likely used as punitive actions, and the logs were not properly managed.

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