A CCTV camera was installed in the room at Mount Carmel Hospital where a Briton detained on drug-related offences hanged himself, and there was another outside in the corridor, the Times of Malta has learnt.
The footage was being examined by the police, sources said.
Both a magisterial and an internal inquiry are now in progress, and the matter was raised last night in Parliament (see page 4).
The 45-year-old man, who was arrested on New Year’s Eve, was being kept under suicide watch following suspicions he could harm himself, the sources added.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said in Parliament the suspect had tried to commit suicide at Mount Carmel’s forensics unit and then taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he died.
When asked about the CCTV cameras and the monitoring system in place, a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Ministry pointed out that, apart from a magisterial inquiry, an internal inquiry had also been set up and the ministry was seriously looking into the matter.
George Busuttil, the director of Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl, which works with prison inmates, former prisoners and their families, told this newspaper he expected to see a higher degree of surveillance in the forensic unit, especially when dealing with a newly admitted person.
“A mother of a person kept at the forensic unit would be beside herself with worry right now. The least one would expect is for vulnerable people in the forensic unit to be detained under maximum security, not only by ensuring they don’t escape but also by ensuring that, in a moment of desperation, they do not harm themselves,” he said.
He hoped the inquiry would not drag on unnecessarily and that it would have a satisfactory outcome, including recommendations on how such incidents would not recur.
The prison chaplain, Fr Franco Fenech, expressed dismay that he had not been called to comfort the Briton and administer the last rites. He felt that, as prison chaplain, he should be called whenever one of the inmates or staff required his assistance.
‘Forensic unit under scrutiny for years’
The hospital control room had the number of his mobile phone, which was kept switched on day and night.
“Unfortunately, although there are occasions when I was called, it’s not the first time that – as happened in this case – I got to know about an incident from the news.
“I understand that this could be due to many factors such as panic and time constraints. But I believe it is a failing when I, or whoever occupies the position of prison chaplain, is not informed of what would have happened and summoned to assist the person.
“It pains me very much knowing that a person has left this world, whatever the circumstances, without there not having been anyone to pray and assist him in such a crucial moment,” Fr Fenech said.
It pains me very much knowing that a person has left this world, whatever his circumstances were, without there having been anyone to pray and assist him in such a crucial moment
He also expressed concern that the third suicide of a person in detention should occur in the space of three months.
Every life was sacred and every human person was endowed with inalienable dignity, he said, adding that such incidents should raise questions and concern.
The forensic unit had been under the spotlight for a number of years, with various media reports focusing on the poor conditions there.
“It would be a massive failing and an abdication of duty if the competent authorities are aware of faults, whether in the infrastructure or in the services given and do nothing to address the problems.
“Every life which ends cannot be brought back and this gives a sense of urgency to the way decisions should be taken to solve problems that have been awaiting a solution for far too long.” Staff members should also be given adequate psychological support to help them cope when witnessing such a traumatic incident as this latest one, Fr Fenech added.