Yukon inmate Michael Nehass seeks release, says rights violated in jail

Yukon inmate Michael Nehass, in the Whitehorse jailon an assault conviction,is asking the Yukon Supreme Court to order his release on the grounds that his Charter rights have been violated over the past four years.

Nehasshas been in the jail for various offences for about four years. His most recent conviction was last May, on charges of forcible confinement and assault with a weapon.

But Nehassfiled anapplication tobe released because he says his treatment in prisonincludedlong periods in isolation.

In court on Monday, Nehass'slawyer had apsychologist review his history, detailing a troubled childhood punctuated by traumatic events.

The psychologist, PeggyKoopman,said Nehassshowed signs of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder at an early age.

She referred to documentssayinghe was treated badly after his mother died in car crash, when he was three years old. According to Koopman,Nehasswas sexually assaulted by at least two men when he was a small child. He was also exposed to alcoholand drugs early in life, she said.

By the time he was 12, Nehasswas showing violent tendencies and had already attempted suicide, Koopman said.

Koopman believesNehass' mental health worsened during his four years in the Whitehorse jail, likely because of long periods in the isolation unit and other incidents.

She said he showed many symptoms associated with prisoners who are kept in isolation for long periods, such as acting out, bizarre behaviour, depression andanxiety.

Nehassobjected to her testimony,denying any mentalillness. Hewantedhis lawyer to focus on how he's been treated while in custody.

"She's making me out as a wingnut," Nehass said in court.

Last week, the Yukon Supreme Court ordered an assessment done on Nehass, to determine whether he should be deemed a dangerous, or long term, offender. That could keep him in prison for an indefinite period of time.

The assessment will be done prior to sentencing for his conviction last May.