"Bordering on untruth": The conflict between the IPS and the police

A dispute has erupted between the police and the Israel Prison Service (IPS) following a suicide attempt by a detainee at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court. It has emerged that the police report transferred to the IPS failed to mention the suspect's suicidal background. The case involves a man in his 40s, arrested this week in Ashkelon on suspicion of damaging his mother's front door. During the court hearing, the suspect attempted to end his life using his shoelaces.

Prison guards who noticed the incident acted quickly, saved his life, and the suspect was evacuated for medical treatment at the hospital. Following the event, a battle of versions developed between the police and the IPS. The police stated to the media that the Israel Prison Service had been updated regarding the detainee's suicidal background, implying that the responsibility for the incident lay with the IPS.

However, according to information obtained by News 14, the police report transferred to the IPS prior to the hearing did not include any warning about a suicidal background. In fact, the report mentioned no previous suicide attempts, self-harm, or threats to others. An IPS source told News 14:

"The police review does not indicate anything regarding suicidality. No suicide attempt, no self-harm, and no harm to others. And nothing was mentioned at the time of intake either."

The source added: "It is a pity that they are trying to shift the responsibility onto us when they are not doing their job as required."

The Israel Prison Service stated to News 14:

"Due to the state-like manner in which the organization conducts itself towards other security and enforcement bodies, as well as the privacy of the individual, all we can say is that this is a report, part of which borders on untruth."

The IPS also emphasized the actions of the prison guards: "The prison guards deserve a commendation for saving the detainee's life."