A man housed at the Psychiatric Hospital for more than 40 years on Thursday pleaded to be set free as a High Court judge disclosed that while authorities are “fighting” to get him out, all systems are still not in place for him to be reintegrated into society.
“I need to be free!” declared Theo Bourne, one of two men who have been kept at the Black Rock, St Michael institution for a combined 76 years but have been deemed fit to re-enter society.
“I have been away from society for 42 years . . . . For years I have been at the Psychiatric Hospital and I never mentally relax,” said the visibly frustrated 62-year-old man.
Bourne was speaking after Senior Registrar at the hospital Dr Ronald Chase gave Justice Randall Worrell a progress report on Bourne and fellow patient John Brathwaite, 56, who has been housed at the institution for the past 34 years.
Both men have been part of a quarter-way house programme aimed at getting them ready to be reintegrated into society since King’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim and his team in 2021 drew the court’s attention to their situations. The court was informed that no documents, records or information about the men could be found.
In his progress report, Dr Chase revealed that Bourne would need to remain in and continue the programme for at least another three months as requirements for social assistance and support for when he returns to society were not yet in place. A similar recommendation was made for Brathwaite.
The doctor said Bourne’s mental state had remained within “acceptable limits” and he was “not a danger” to society.
“Mr Bourne is 62 years of age which means he is five years away from pensionable age. Therefore, the probability of Mr Bourne being gainfully employed when released from hospital is low. Mr Bourne will require social assistance and support when released into society, for at least basic needs such as accommodation and food. Mr Bourne’s relatives have expressed mixed views about his potential release from hospital. His relatives initially stated their intentions to provide support . . . but recently these relatives have in some cases withdrawn their intentions . . . ,” Dr Chase told the court.
“Mr Bourne will likely require social assistance through the welfare agencies in Barbados and the Psychiatric Hospital. His social reintegration programme must refocus according to these realistic social circumstances. We recommend Mr Bourne remains in the quarter-way house programme as he continues the social reintegration programme.”
When Justice Worrell asked Bourne if he understood what the doctor had said, he declared his desire to be released.
“Keeping me there does nothing!” he declared. “42 years and I stepping backwards. I am not violent, I don’t think violent, I don’t act violent. I have never totally mentally relaxed in the Psychiatric Hospital. I love myself . . . 42 years . . . and my medication never increased; in fact, it decreased.”
“I have been through programmes . . . . I could handle myself. I need to be free, I no longer want to be at the Psychiatric Hospital, I need to be free. It’s about time, Your Honour.
“Keeping me there to do what now? I am an individual . . . . I have self-esteem. Theo Bourne wants to be free!” said the patient who stated that he was born in St Philip, had been at the hospital since the age of 20, and has been working in the area of food at the Psychiatric Hospital.
Justice Worrell assured Bourne that “we are fighting to release you”.
He said while he understood the man’s frustration, the court had to be guided by not only what he said but the recommendations of the professionals in charge of his care.
“It is not that they don’t want to release you, we are fighting to release you. That is why your matter has been brought up. Everybody wants you out, the Psychiatric Hospital is behind it,” said the judge.
“We have to get some support for you . . . . Things have to be put in place. It is not a question of just throwing you back out into society on your own because that is not going to help you. The option is to try and help you reintegrate into society. . . . I know it feels like you are coming here and we are sending you back, [but] there is a reason for these things.
“Based on what Dr Chase says . . . the court is not going to release you into a society that you have been away from for 40 plus years; certain things have to be in place. Just remember your process is ongoing and has not finished yet,” added the judge who stated that the Welfare Department and even some charities would need to be contacted.
During the discussions in court it was disclosed that the halfway houses in St George and St Peter had been closed down.
Meanwhile, Brathwaite, who has a family member willing to help with his reintegration, said he understood what Dr Chase and court had explained.
The doctor had earlier stated that, like Bourne, Brathwaite’s mental state had “remained within satisfactory limits” and he was no danger to society.
“Mr Brathwaite has been an in-patient for the majority of his adult life, thus he has been unemployed for more than 30 years. Mr Brathwaite is 56 years old which is a difficult age to enter the workforce with no work experience. Therefore, social support at least for the first year in society is essential,” he said.
Bourne and Brathwaite are both scheduled to reappear in court on March 17 next year.
fernellawedderburn@barbadostoday.bb
The post Man in Psychiatric Hospital for 42 years begs to be released appeared first on Barbados Today.