Court orders psychiatric evaluation for GIS girl

The teenage girl at the centre of the incident at the Government Industrial School (GIS), which led to the removal of the board and changes at the reform institution, has been sent to the Psychiatric Hospital to undergo evaluation.

Sources revealed to Barbados TODAY that given all that had transpired, the evaluation will assist in determining the emotional and mental state of the young girl.

The 14-year-old had been at the institution for a non-violent crime. She had been placed in solitary confinement reportedly as part of her punishment. This approach has since been discontinued by the GIS.

The teen was granted $10 000 bail from the High court on March 19 and left the institution.

Today, she appeared in the Juvenile Court where she was remanded to the Black Rock institution for the evaluation. The case will continue next Friday.

The girl’s plight was highlighted nationally after a photograph was reportedly taken of the child in a vulnerable state. The episode drew much public outcry and led to sweeping changes announced by the Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams in a national broadcast.

He said the situation raised issues regarding rights of children and those in the custody of the state and vowed to fully investigate the matter.

Cabinet also recently confirmed the members of the new Advisory Board for the GIS who will be in charge of charting new, progressive policies for the institution. The new board is led by Rev Lucille Baird. (TS)