Dear Editor,

I refer to the editorial, “Questions on the Malvern Special High School (MSHS), in the Jamaica Observer of December 3, 2012. I would like to put forward some points for consideration based on two areas of the editorial: (1) Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites, giving thought to a change of purpose for the proposed facility and (2) Dr Wendel Abel, consultant psychiatrist, UWI: “… the programme would be of no help to troubled children and what is needed is expert counselling at the community level”.

It seems Jamaica is in dire need of a facility to treat youth who are suffering serious behavioural and emotional problems, and others who are in conflict with the law requiring a purpose-built facility to house them. As is already well known, both on a national and international basis, as a country, we are in a crisis because of the lack of appropriate facilities at the youth crime end, and the area of psycho-social care.

Regarding the death of 16-year-old Vanessa Wint at the Horizon Remand Centre, we must take immediate steps before another fire or another suicide takes place. Regarding MSHS, I strongly recommend that the following ministers of government get together to avert other tragedies: minister of health, minister responsible for the Child Development Agency, minister of education and the minister of justice to work collaboratively in converting MSHS to a treatment facility for youth who require psycho-social care, based purely on comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments.

I must congratulate Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon for his immediate offer through the Mustard Seed Community, to work with young female offenders, with the promise of psychiatric consultation.

As is stated in the editorial regarding a multi-discplinary team of psychologists, social workers and others, under Mr Andrew Holness’s previous plan, as the minister of education, a full interdiscplinary team would be required for the success of this facility. Why would I be recommending such a facility? Because of the situations at Armadale and Horizon most recently. I also venture to say that a residential treatment care centre for youth differs in magnitude from regular group home care/residential facility care (large scale); and differs immensly from a facility dedicated to youth in conflict with the law. My main focus now is a facility solely for the purpose of care and treatment of children suffering from psycho-social symptoms.

I am more than willing to provide some of the required assistance to create more effective and efficient special services to the children of Jamaica, especially those who are in the sole care of the Jamaican government, requiring special treatment. Appropriate facilities with accompanying programmes and services would provide the long-term benefits for training/field-based practicums for student counsellors, special education student teachers, student social workers and psychology students.

Dudley E Morgan

World Wide Resources Training Centres

Dudley Morgan and Associates – South Africa

yeldudem@gmail.com