Psychiatrist says two inmates can be released from mental health facility once they satisfy transition programme

Two men who have been housed at the Psychiatric Hospital for decades can be “reintegrated” into society.

But, Dr Ronald Chase said today that John Brathwaite and Theo Bourne must first undergo reintegration programmes in another section of the Black Rock, St Michael facility before that can occur.

The psychiatrist gave the reports to the No. 2 Supreme Court this afternoon when the case was called before Justice Randall Worrell.

It was previously disclosed that Bourne had spent 41 years and Brathwaite 33 years at the mental health facility after being sentenced to Her Majesty’s pleasure. Bourne has been there since October, 1980 and Brathwaite, October 1988.

Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim drew the matters to the court’s attention late last year but so far no documents, records or information can be found about the men.

Today, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale reiterated that several unsuccessful searches had been made at his department for information on the two and there were also several challenges at the Psychiatric Hospital.

In his update to the court Dr Chase revealed that there had been “no further progress” with respect to locating the volumes which would have contained the men’s indictments.

However, assessments had been conducted on them and reports submitted to the court, which he said dealt with their mental state and recommendations for integration into society.

With respect to Brathwaite, the doctor revealed that he was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and his mental state has been at “its baseline” meaning within “satisfactory limits” for the last two years.

He explained that the challenges associated with bipolar disorder are not unique to Brathwaite but medication, compliance and abstinence from mind-altering substances reduces the risk or intensity of episodes.

In Bourne’s case the doctor revealed that he suffered from schizophrenia and his mental state was within “satisfactory limits”.

The risk of both men “violently reoffending” was “low” and they could be reintegrated into society, he added.

However Dr Chase said given that society had changed since the men had been on remand at the hospital it would be beneficial for them to be adequately prepared for such transitions.

He recommended that Bourne and Brathwaite be transferred to the hospital’s Quarter Way House when space is available to facilitate that process.

The programme at that unit, the doctor said, was a social occupational and psychological reintegration programme which allowed for a less restrictive environment but increased patients’ responsibility for their own personal upkeep.

However the length of their reintegration programme would depend on how they meet set targets.

“At this point in time I cannot give a definitive timeframe as to when we would recommend transition back into society,” Dr Chase said. He explained that both  men had already begun some of the programmes and sessions, although they were not yet housed at the unit.

The recommendations were accepted by the court and the deputy DPP.

Their cases will come up again before Justice Worrell on May 13 for a review.