Autistic man remains locked up despite committing no crime

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More than a year after officials agreed to release autistic man Ashley Peacock from institutional care, he remains inside - as bureaucrats continue to quibble over funding. 

His parents say their son's health has deteriorated further, and while they have tried to work with clinicians, little progress has been made.

Since January, Ashley, now 40-years-old, has suffered two black eyes at Porirua's Tawhirimatea mental health unit, both without explanation.
He was also given the wrong medication and had to go to hospital for monitoring. He still sleeps in the same cell-like room, with just a bed and a few sparse possessions.

Ashley's parents say he is depressed, and has put on weight. He frequently says his joints hurt.

More than half that time has been spent secluded in a 10m2 room, once for two-and-a-half years straight, with only 30 mins daily outside. In total he has spent 11 years in institutional care.

His living situation was labelled cruel, inhuman or degrading by the Chief Ombudsman. Authorities have been told repeatedly by multiple agencies that his treatment breaches human rights.

A report to the National Intellectual Disability Care Agency in 2015 found the institution was not the right place for Ashley.

It recommended he be transferred to a community setting, with the help of a project manager. A provider, Community Connections was found.

However little progress was made until the Herald highlighted Ashley's plight on its front page in June 2016.

When, earlier this month, funding was approved by the Ministry of Health, the family thought their dreams would finally come true.
However, the funding - about $600,000 - was much lower than the $1 million currently paid for his care, and according to Community Connections chief executive John Taylor, not enough to fund appropriate staff, let alone the rest of what Ashley needs.

Taylor was concerned the rate did not take the pay equity legislation into account. There was nothing left over for rent, or back-office work, or food, he said.

They were now faced with more negotiations, and more waiting time.

As for the black eyes and the medication mix up - Ashley was wrongly given the drug Clozapine - it said those incidents were under investigation.
"Ashley's transition into the community will be an ongoing process," it said.
Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter said change was coming for Ashley, and she had been asking for updates and continued to monitor progress.

"I cannot make any guarantees, but before now there was nowhere deemed suitable to transfer Ashley to. This work needed to happen years ago and is now progressing," she said.

However, the Peacocks say they have had enough of waiting, and it should be sorted now.

"Psychiatrists can put someone into an institution at the stroke of a pen but it's taken 11 years to get him out, and he's still not out, even with all the reports under the sun," Dave said.

When, earlier this month, funding was approved by the Ministry of Health, the family thought their dreams would finally come true.
However, the funding - about $600,000 - was much lower than the $1 million currently paid for his care, and according to Community Connections chief executive John Taylor, not enough to fund appropriate staff, let alone the rest of what Ashley needs.

This is just yet another example of hatred of people on the spectrum.

To us we're people, to some other people we're just problems that need solved.

The puzzle piece

I am in a psych clinic for no reason too. But my parents put me here. When will this kind of absurd end??? At least I can walk around a bit and I have access to a computer (30 min at a time max), but I am starting to get depressed. Can give more details, this is for real. Got a lawyer friend but things are moving very slowly... I need some support. Sorry for the intrusion. I feel for my tribe everywhere in the same situation. From Brazil.

Edit:They are remodelling a part of the clinic and the noise is unbearable. There are lights on all the time and they will not allow me dark glasses or my noise-cancelling headphones. I dont think I can do this for much longer