Broadmoor's heritage status blamed for high suicide rate
Broadmoor hospital, Britain's best-known high-security mental institution, was forbidden from removing windows bars used by patients to hang themselves because it was felt it would damage the nation's architectural heritage, a report reveals today. Between 2001 and 2008, there were eight suicides, five by hanging, at the former Victorian asylum in Crowthrone, Berkshire, that houses about 260 of England's most dangerous and violent psychiatric patients. At the country's two other high-security mental hospitals – Rampton in Nottinghamshire and Ashworth in Liverpool – there was only one suicide over the same period.
"Plans to refurbish Broadmoor were drawn up in 2003 but are still awaiting final approval. The provisional completion date of 2016 could slip back to 2023 because of the credit crunch and public spending squeeze".
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
So it's ok to hang yerelf as long as the structure of the old clink isn't comprimised? Hmmm.....
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