It isn't about respect or lack of respect. Suicidal patients will hang themselves using shoelaces. Cell phones cause and continue outside problems into the inpatient unit. Other items can be used to self harm. You may not have the intention to do those things, but other patients on the psych unit might be very well motivated enough to get to another patient's items and cause themselves or others harm. It is a safety issue that has to be taken seriously on psych units.