PHILIPSBURG:--- Reports of unnatural deaths at the Mental Health Foundation are mounting, patients that were placed in restrictive custody ended up dead yet information regarding these deaths of these vulnerable persons in the community are being withheld.
Minister of Justice Anna Richardson said on Wednesday that an indebt investigation has been launched into the most recent death, and as such, she will reserve the right to withhold all information and comments until that investigation is completed.
Asked if she as Minister of Justice or the Court of First Instance granted the permission to Mental Health Foundation to place the latest victim in protective custody at the holding cell in Philipsburg detention center and who was responsible for overseeing the patient. The Minister said despite understanding the depth of the question she will maintain her stance in not divulging information.
SMN News also asked the Minister of Justice about the role of the Inspectorate of Health and what role does IVSA has when it comes to holding patients in restrictive custody. That too the Minister of Justice did not respond to. It should be noted that the Inspectorate of Health must check on these patients when placed in confinement for their own safety however, this has been neglected and families that have since filed complaints and requested reports of the investigations have not been receiving any cooperation from the Inspectorate of Health.
Currently, there are at least four court cases filed either by doctors that want to treat patients with mental health issues and by families of victims that have died of unnatural deaths.
