By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl who has not been convicted for any criminal offences has been jailed at the Fort Augusta Women Prison, St. Catherine, for more than a year now with no set time for her to be released.
It is reported the girl grew up in the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre, St. Ann but was later transferred to Fort Augusta early last year after she got into a fight with another girl.
The teenager's mother is reported to be mentally ill and not much is known about her father's whereabouts, hence she has spent most of her young life at the juvenile centre.
Explaining how and why the girl was transferred to the maximum security prison, a spokesperson for the Correctional Services Department said the department got a "Variation Order" from the court to keep the teenage girl at the prison, until her case was reviewed.
But in the interim she has attempted suicide twice, Medical officer, Dr. Raymoth Notice said yesterday. He said she has been receiving counselling.
"Everytime I talk with her I want to cry. All she wants is the opportunity to be free and go to school where she can improve herself," said Dr. Notice.
Prison psychiatrist, Dr. George Leverage, said the girl had been treated for depression.
"The last time I saw her she was very depressed and I have been treating her for that, but because of the heavy workload, I have not been going to Fort Augusta frequently," he said.
According to Dr. Notice, the young girl's dream is for a life with a family, but she keeps saying: "There is no hope, there is no hope."
Two weeks ago, the case of another girl, a pregnant 15-year-old girl being housed at the prison was highlighted and since then she has given birth and been transferred to a place of safety for girls.
