AUDIO: IJCHR Wants Review of How Police Treat Mentally-ill Detainees

The Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights, IJCHR, is calling for a review of the police’s treatment of detainees suffering mental illness.

This as two of the persons charged with the beating death of Mario Deane last week, are said to be mentally challenged.

Mr. Deane was allegedly beaten by other detainees while in lock-up at the Barnett Street police station in St. James, on August 3.

One of the accused, 25-year-old Adrian Morgan, has undergone a psychiatric evaluation, to see if he’s fit to stand trial.

Legal Officer at the IJCHR, Nancy Anderson says Mr. Deane should never have been locked up with mentally ill cell mates.

Sufferers of some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are prone to occasional bouts of violence.

However, researchers say people with psychiatric disabilities are much more likely to be victims, rather than perpetrators of violent crime.

Ms. Anderson says persons with mental issues who become violent should be treated by doctors, rather than be locked up.

Nancy Anderson, Legal Officer at the IJCHR, speaking on Nationwide This Morning.