Some inmates should have the right to euthanasia

Of course, the conclusions here only follow in a system where very long or indefinite prison sentences exist, the acceptability of which warrants an altogether different discussion. The first port of call should be to try and make prison an environment which doesn’t lead to suicidal behaviour – a system in which death becomes the preferable option hardly screams “humane”.

Saying this, there may be some minor practical benefits to facilitating inmates’ rational suicide – for example, saving the cost of maintaining an individual who will never leave the prison system. But more importantly, for a small number of convicts such as Frank Van Den Bleeken, an undignified and torturous existence serving a life of suicidal solitude could be avoided.