Joan Martin's Struggle: The Story Of Osime Brown And His Potential Deportation

In a heart-wrenching tale that highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in our society, Joan Martin receives a phone call from her son, Osime Brown. “It’s him,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. The vulnerability of her son, who calls to ask whether he should wash his hair while in prison, underscores the dire situation he finds himself in. Osime, a 21-year-old severely autistic Jamaican-born UK resident, is nearing the end of a five-year prison sentence for offenses committed as a teenager. However, what looms larger than his incarceration is the threat of deportation to a country he has not known since he was four years old.

Joan's concern is palpable as she navigates the complexities of her son's situation. The Home Office issued Osime a removal notice in August 2018 due to crimes he committed as a youth, particularly the theft of a mobile phone. His lawyers argue that the application of joint enterprise law in his case has been controversial and concerning. Presently, Osime is incarcerated at HMP Stocken in Rutland, where he has experienced significant mental health struggles, including self-harm.

As Osime's release date approaches, his lawyers have intervened to argue that transferring him to a removal center would be unlawful due to his autism and recent health issues. Despite this, a court hearing is scheduled in the coming weeks, where his immigration solicitor will argue against his deportation, stating it poses a risk to his safety. Joan, a former mental health nurse, is increasingly alarmed at the thought of her son being deported and expresses fear for his well-being in a country that is foreign to him.

Table of Contents

• Background of Osime Brown
• Legal Challenges and Concerns
• Family Advocacy and Public Support
• Mental Health Issues in Prison
• Final Thoughts and Call to Action