yllus
Elite Member & Lifer
Segregation cell called 'barbaric'
The segregation cell at the Toronto Youth Assessment Centre where 16-year-old David Meffe was confined to prevent him from killing himself was "barbaric," the jail's chief psychologist told an inquest yesterday.
Dr. Robin Foster said youths placed in secure custody experience "sensory deprivation" because the cells contain little more than a mattress, the window on the cell door can be closed, cutting them off from the outside world, and the only way to communicate with other youths is through yelling.
The 130-bed centre on Horner Ave. in Etobicoke is used to house 16- and 17-year-olds who are awaiting trial, and the segregation cells are used both for inmates who are suicidal or have head injuries, and those who have been placed in solitary confinement as punishment.
"It is a barbaric way of dealing with somebody who is depressed," Foster testified. "We say go down there where there is nothing and you will feel better.
"It is just isolation and deprivation and can aggravate their symptoms," she said.
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Weird. I somewhat understand that perhaps putting depressed people in a pitch-black cell isn't very helpful, but when they're mentally ill + violent is there that many alternatives? 😕
The segregation cell at the Toronto Youth Assessment Centre where 16-year-old David Meffe was confined to prevent him from killing himself was "barbaric," the jail's chief psychologist told an inquest yesterday.
Dr. Robin Foster said youths placed in secure custody experience "sensory deprivation" because the cells contain little more than a mattress, the window on the cell door can be closed, cutting them off from the outside world, and the only way to communicate with other youths is through yelling.
The 130-bed centre on Horner Ave. in Etobicoke is used to house 16- and 17-year-olds who are awaiting trial, and the segregation cells are used both for inmates who are suicidal or have head injuries, and those who have been placed in solitary confinement as punishment.
"It is a barbaric way of dealing with somebody who is depressed," Foster testified. "We say go down there where there is nothing and you will feel better.
"It is just isolation and deprivation and can aggravate their symptoms," she said.
--
Weird. I somewhat understand that perhaps putting depressed people in a pitch-black cell isn't very helpful, but when they're mentally ill + violent is there that many alternatives? 😕
