A local court ordered the government to pay 100 million won (US$ 88,818) in compensation to the family of an alcoholic who died in prison after suffering from withdrawal symptoms, court officials said Monday.
The 44-year-old man, identified only by his last name, Lee, was jailed in July 2008 after failing to pay an earlier fine for drunken driving, but died four days later after knocking his head against the cell door and showing other unstable behavior.
His family blamed the government for not taking proper care of prisoners and filed for compensation of more than 200 million won.
"The prison officials are guilty of not actively preventing Lee's abnormal behavior, and only handcuffing him for causing a commotion, when they should have given him a proper diagnosis and treatment," said the Seoul Central District Court.
"Lee displayed serious anxiety and violent behavior after imprisonment, which appear to have been the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholics. There is considerable evidence that Lee died of "delirium tremens" due to the (officials') negligence," the court said. Delirium tremens is a withdrawal syndrome that occurs in the form of tremors, visual hallucinations and autonomic instability.
The court, however, also said that Lee was partly to blame for not giving prison officials a clear explanation of his health conditions.