A JURY yesterday asked Correctional Services Department staff to pay more attention to detainees, especially those in bad health, after an inquest.
The three-member jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes after medical records showed So Ma-law, 32 - who was found dead inside a cell at the Lai Chi Kok reception centre on July 3 last year - had died of bronchial asthma.
Coroner John Saunders heard So was admitted to the centre on June 29 last year for a drug addiction treatment report.
On the same day, he was transferred to the centre's hospital for treatment of his drug withdrawal symptoms.
Reports revealed that at the time of examination, So had not suffered an asthmatic attack but he had been prescribed anti-asthma medication.
On July 3, at about 1.20 am, So was found in his cell by two officers, the court heard.
The coroner was told So was unconscious, with no breathing and no pulse at the time.
