For the first time in years, Darrell Tidd of Pennfield had an afternoon out in the community with his son, Devan, shopping for items to furnish his new apartment.
The space is “completely life-changing” for his 33-year-old son, Darrell said.
That’s because his last home was alongside federal offenders, in the psychiatric wing of a federal prison.
Devan Tidd is autistic, has a developmental disorder and severe anxiety — all of which can lead to behavioural issues in certain circumstances, his father has told CBC News.
WATCH | Specialized housing ‘completely life-changing’:
A year after green light to move into supportive home, autistic man leaves prison
Devan Tidd isn’t a federal offender, but he was housed in a prison psychiatric ward for five years as the province struggled to find a setting that could meet his needs. This month, the 33-year-old with autism, a developmental disorder and other conditions moved into his own apartment with 24/7 support.
It’s a problem Devan has run into repeatedly while living in the housing options organized by the Social Development Department, including special care homes and the province’s Restigouche Hospital Centre.
Devan was found not criminally responsible several times for assaulting staff and damaging property, meaning the court recognized he does not have the mental capacity to understand his actions.
Despite that, he was placed at the Dorchester Penitentiary, in the Shepody Healing Centre there,
This story was brought to Nouzie by RSS. The original post can be found on https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/life-changing-autistic-leaves-prison-9.7304981?cmp=rss
