ICCPR concluding observations 2015, paragraph 16
Plain English recommendation
Government should:
Take action to prevent suicides, including suicides and self-harm in custody, by:
(a) tackling the root causes of suicide and self-harm, improving identification of at-risk individuals, and managing prevention strategies.
(b) training prison officials in preventing suicide and self-harm.
(c) providing mental health and other support services for prisoners.
(d) tackling bullying in custody.
(e) ensuring cases of suicide and self-harm are investigated.
(f) considering the Harris Review report and implementing its recommendations.
Original UN recommendation
The State party should take robust measures to prevent self-inflicted deaths (suicides), including suicides and self-harm in custody, inter alia by:
(a) Studying and addressing the root causes of the problem, continuing to improve the identification of persons at risk of suicide and self-harm, and operating effective early prevention strategies and programmes.
(b) Providing adequate training to prison officials on prevention of suicide and self-harm.
(c) Ensuring adequate protection of prisoners and appropriate mental health and other support services for them.
(d) Combating bullying in custody facilities effectively.
(e) Ensuring that cases of suicide and self-harm are independently and thoroughly investigated and that lessons are learned.
(f) Giving due consideration to the Harris Review report and to implementing its recommendations.
Date of UN examination
16/08/2015
UN article number
2 (implementation at the national level), 6 (right to life), 7 (freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment), 9 (liberty and security), 10 (treatment of people deprived of liberty), 24 (rights of the child)
Original UN document
Download the original ICCPR concluding observations 2015 on the UN website