A Superior Court Judge ordered Health Department officials Wednesday to come up with a plan to place Mohammed H. Salem, who killed his father, at the John Bell Correctional Facility in an appropriate treatment program within the next 30 days. Superior Court Judge Denise Francois also ordered that Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion receive notice of the court’s order.
Failure to do so will lead to a show-cause hearing and compel Encarnacion to explain in court why the transfer did not occur, the judge said. “The court is asking what progress is being made by the Department of Health in transferring Mr. Salem to an appropriate facility,” Francois said.
Two Health officials appearing Wednesday said they could not predict compliance. When asked whether they believed their agency would complete the transfer within the designated time frame, Dr. Rolinda McCarthy said, “Unfortunately, no.”
McCarthy added that money matters may factor into any failure to carry out the court’s order within the next 30 days.
Salem was the subject of the Wednesday hearing and was arrested in March 2024 after the fatal stabbing of his father, Hakim Salem, and for an assault on Jamil Salem — his brother — at the family home in Hull Bay on March 5. Jury selection for a July 28 murder trial was called off for now, pending further advisories.
Francois said she had been advised that Mohammed Salem has become a danger to himself and a danger to prison guards because of his behavior. The situation had become so extreme that guards at Bell Correctional once used a taser on the inmate to regain control, Francois said.
One of the factors contributing to those dangers is the reported refusal by Salem to take prescribed psychiatric medications. Previous appeals to the court in May led Francois to permit forced administration of those medicines.
Echoing statements made to the court by psychiatrist Dr. Evadney Sang for a medical transfer, the judge said, “Mr. Salem does not belong in a prison.”
Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Weddle said there had been a number of discussions and follow-ups on the subject of Salem’s behavior and requests for relocation. Francois ordered Weddle to notify Health that Larkin Hospital Behavioral Health Facility in Hollywood, Fla., had a bed available and was willing to accept the transfer.
Francois further ordered that Justice file other matters pertaining to the inmate’s health condition be kept under seal by order of the court.
St. Croix Source
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