THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM heartbroken at the news on The Gleaner's front page today this man whose case never went to trial, and spent 24 years of his life - all his young man life locked up and in pain, fear and despair. How many more cases like this are there? How is it that he is sane at all? Where will he "walk free" and go? Who cares for this emerging enigma of a human being, this awe-struck, ravaged and emotionally and mentally paralysed victim of neglect and woeful carelessness?
When in school I studied "The Prisoner of Chillon" who, after being in prison most of his life, was finally released, and could not deal with this terrifying thing called "freedom", and so he begged and yearned to go back "home" back to prison where he felt he belonged, horrible and degrading though it was, it was still home.
And what of compensation? Is there any hope for him now, that he should receive real assistance and get "set up" to live a free life again, to work and get paid, to have the companionship he will need, to be able to laugh, to enjoy a good meal, to sleep soundly in a warm bed?
Who will give him his train ride home?
I am, etc.,
L. DUPERROUZEL
33 Waterloo News
Kingston 10
