Statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs:
We offer our condolences to the family of Dinesh Raman s/o Chinnaiah on their loss.
On September 27, 2010, Dinesh Raman, a prison inmate, carried out an unprovoked attack on a prison officer outside his cell in the presence of other inmates. Prison officers responded to restrain him and to place him in a cell. He was left in a prone position in the cell.
Shortly after, due to his unresponsiveness, he was evacuated to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was determined to be positional asphyxiation, i.e. the deceased was being placed in a prone position on the ground where he died due to breathing difficulties.
The Criminal Investigation Department conducted an investigation into the incident and referred its findings to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. AGC has charged the officer supervising the incident with Causing Death by a Negligent Act.
Separately, the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed an independent Committee of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the death, and to recommend improvements to existing systems, protocols and processes. The Committee submitted its report to the Ministry in June 2013.
The Ministry of Home Affairs accepts the findings and recommendations of the Committee and has directed the Singapore Prison Service to implement them.
We hold our officers to a high standard of professionalism. The Singapore Prison Service requires its officers to strictly abide by procedures and protocols, in particular when dealing with prisoners who are violent.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will work with the Singapore Prison Service to determine whether other officers involved in this incident have met the required performance standards, and whether disciplinary proceedings should be taken against any of them.