20.4.12
Tonight at a Melbourne detention centre a man sat on a
bench next to me and sobbed silently, his whole body shaking.He asked me to
visit his house to see his daughter and mother. He led me to his donga door and
with a shushing finger to his lips, pointed at a small red balloon on the bed
saying that it was his baby daughter and that she was sleeping.
Next to the red balloon lay a green balloon. He told me
that this is his mother and that she is crying because his brother has been
killed by the militia. He said that his brother was with Jesus and that he
wanted to go to Jesus too.
Yesterday after discussions with the Human Rights team,
he went to his room and took an overdose of tablets. He was found by a visitor
lying on the floor with his feet hanging out the door. The visitor thought that
he was dead at first and checked his pulse. He was unconscious. The day before
he had begged a staff member to kill him.
Today he can hardly walk unaided as he is heavily
sedated. He has not been to hospital but has been placed on PSP (Psychological
Support Program formerly SASH- Suicide and Self Harm ). I replied to the SERCO
officer that this did not constitute treatment , just surveillance. He agreed
but can do nothing else. A staff member told me that he had just seen a
psychiatrist on site. I reminded her that the man was clearly experiencing
hallucinations and psychosis and under the guidelines should not remain in
detention.
At Reception I checked the staff sign on book with a senior
SERCO officer for IHMS staff on duty that day. IHMS is the contractor providing
health services. No psychiatrist or psychologist had been on site that
afternoon.It was unclear who assessed this man as psychologically fit enough to
remain in detention. He is certainly so sedated that he would be unable to harm
himself. He is chemically restrained from physical harm but this does not
alleviate the terrible mental pain which is torturing his mind. Guards stand at
arm’s length to back up the drugs.
He has been quietly compliant until now but after nearly
three years in detention his mind has broken.
--
Pamela Curr
Campaign Coordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
12 Batman st West Melbourne 3003
ph 03 9326 6066 / 0417517075
"NO ONE CHOOSES TO BE AN ASYLUM SEEKER"
