Published: 26 August 2006
A LACK of treatment and supervision of prisoners with personality disorders and mental illness is putting Bahrain’s community at risk, according to a senior health worker.
Dr Fadhel Al Nasheet, a forensic psychiatrist at Psychiatric Hospital, Manama, says murderers in particular often do not get the opportunity to be psychologically examined to get to the bottom of their behaviour.
He pointed to the fact it is not mandatory for psychiatrists to treat patients who have been convicted of murder in Bahrain, unlike other countries in Europe such as the UK where the practice is compulsory.
Published: 26 August 2006
A LACK of treatment and supervision of prisoners with personality disorders and mental illness is putting Bahrain’s community at risk, according to a senior health worker.
Dr Fadhel Al Nasheet, a forensic psychiatrist at Psychiatric Hospital, Manama, says murderers in particular often do not get the opportunity to be psychologically examined to get to the bottom of their behaviour.
He pointed to the fact it is not mandatory for psychiatrists to treat patients who have been convicted of murder in Bahrain, unlike other countries in Europe such as the UK where the practice is compulsory.
“These people are dangerous, they repeat their violence of either rape or murder,” he told the GDN.
“They should be treated for around two years, but unfortunately in Bahrain we do not have any mental health act.
“I am seeing these people because they have been referred to me for another problem.
“But here in Bahrain we have no comprehensive treatment for them.
“Usually, there is no proper follow-up for these cases and they finish their sentences and go straight back into the community.
“They go back as if nothing has happened and they get married and have children.”
He added prisoners also struggle to reintegrate into society after being jailed for long periods and have often lost basic life and social skills.
© Gulf Daily News
