“The forced medication of prisoner Malcolm Baker goes before the Mental Health Review Tribunal today to decide whether it is legally justified.
It is a watershed case on the medical profession being part of punishment. See index page.” said Justice Action Coordinator Brett Collins.
The last hearing on 28 June was adjourned as the Health Dept hadn’t produced the required certificates.
“Upon examination, those certificates don’t meet the requirement of risk of serious harm to himself or others under the Act. The doctors admit he has done nothing wrong” said Mr Collins.
“Additionally we have just received a psychiatric report from Justice Health that contradicts all previous assessments of Mr Baker. The leading psychiatrist said ‘my own examination currently does not find true delusional ideation in his thinking.’ He said after reviewing all previous reports: ‘Mr Baker has for many years been fascinated by alternative points of view, which may sound bizarre and impossible. However, it appears for many of these ideas, there are legitimate, rational explanations to be found in alternative research literature such as the Nexus magazine’” said Mr Collins.
“At the 19 April 2018 hearing the doctor clearly stated that the worst scenario was that ‘he could become difficult to manage.’ “said Mr Collins.
“With community and legal support we are determined to stop this human rights abuse amounting to torture normalised as treatment” said Mr Collins.
Justice Action Coordinator Brett Collins
