What is this country coming to?

[Kathyan]

I've just heard on the news that a prisoner has been awarded �2.7 million compensation because he failed to commit suicide! What the hell is going on?

[noxlumos]

Can you post a link to this please, I'm unaware of the story but would like to read it.

[Oneeyedvic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4996246.stm

[Kathyan]

Thanks for the link vic. I actually heard this on Channel five news.

[JustSia]

The prison should sue him for the monetary loss due to his failure to do himself in properly. Am sure they can even do him for the emotional damages. Of course he can wave all this and just finish the job.

S.

[vehelpfulguy]

Maybe the judge who awarded this would like to explain it to some of the people who had major injuries in the July 7th bombs.

They will only get a few thousands.

[Lonnie]

Only one word, and thats not strong enough, 'Disgusting'.

[ludwig]

Yep, nothing particularly to do with prisons. Just a symptom of the compensation disease that's infecting the country in general.
Surely I should be able to sue someone for the anger and distress I feel when I read about stuff like this?

[joko]

what about non-criminals who try it? do they get anything? i've never heard of them getting compensation.

cue a sudden outbreak of prison suicide attempts...

[dyli795]

what the hell is going on; we are all scratching our heads..............................

[horselady]

It was quite bad enough when that prisoner won loads on the lottery, this really takes the biscuit!

[undercovers]

but that link doesn't say it was due to a failed suicide bid (they didn't confirm it), does anyone actually have a link to a story that tells why this person recieved the compensation damages...