Leader of the Opposition Party the Hon. Sharlene Cartwright went on record as recent as a few months ago as to the need to remove the mentally ill from HM Prison.
In a release to the press this evening, the Shadow Minister is calling for the removal of juveniles from the prison. She said, “There must be proper facilities to address the needs of these two groups currently housed at HM Prison.
Last year, a mentally challenged inmate attacked several prison officers whilst they attempted to ensure he got his medical treatment. Several officers sustained injuries from this encounter and one lost sight in his eye permanently as a result of being stabbed with a sharp object. This incident resulted in no real changes, and the mentally ill continue to be held at HM Prison.
We believe that this incident exposed the Government to a lawsuit as it certainly exposed civil servants to harm having neither been trained nor required under their job descriptions to manage these persons. We had hoped that representations on this issue would have raised the profile and awareness of the challenge and that the Government would see it fit to address the matter.
Recently, the public has now become aware of a mentally ill patient who had been housed at the Prison in excess of 6 years and who passed away under circumstances that is causing even international bodies heads to turn. We are wondering when will the Government’s head turn out of concern for the patients, the prison workers and this country’s reputation?
Housing the mentally ill at a Prison is a sad state of affairs. Once again we see the need to call out the Government and ask them to address the need to care for all of our citizens especially our vulnerable citizens. Whilst we focus today on those that are committed to the Prison, this Government must do more to provide the resources needed to address the needs of the mentally challenged on the street, and those residing at home and presenting challenges. We commend the Department, like other Departments of Government, for the work it continues to attempt to do with so little.
This recent incident, whilst under investigation must speak to the hearts and minds of those in authority with the power to allocate funding to address this matter with urgency. We must see the risk to our civil servants who work at the Prison and also the rights of the patient who requires facilities that can adequately address their needs.
This present state of affairs cannot continue as is.”
That was the full text from the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon.Sharlene Robinson.
