Kenny Richey is struggling to come to terms with freedom

Published on Tuesday 10 March 2009 08:40

WHEN former Death Row prisoner Kenny Richey was returned to Edinburgh after serving 21 years behind bars awaiting execution, the Evening News predicted he would have a hard time trying to rebuild his life. How true that has proved.

After 15 months back in the Capital – seven of which were spent behind bars awaiting trial on assault and robbery charges, on which he was found not guilty – Richey seems further from rehabilitation then ever.

Although he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of breach of the peace, a judge was of the opinion that 44-year-old Richey had suffered enough and let him walk free.

It is, therefore, ironic that only days later Richey has stated that he yearns for prison life and that he wishes to be behind bars again as he misses the routine and the discipline.

That is not surprising for a man who has spent most of his adult life there and is clearly struggling to come to terms with the challenges that freedom presents. Out of work and with little purpose to his life, he talks about hating himself.

Richey attributes his failure to settle on "severe post-traumatic stress disorder" and is seeking to be admitted to hospital for treatment.

It is not surprising, considering what he has endured that he is carrying considerable mental baggage. But he has proved in the past that he is a man with some resolve.

He spent two decades behind bars because he refused to accept that he was responsible for killing a child in a fire. He could have been out in half that time but refused a plea bargain which would have led to a sentence of 11 years for arson and manslaughter.

It must have been galling for him after holding out for so long that he won his freedom only by lodging a plea which, though technically not an admission of guilt, is viewed as one in the US courts.

If Kenny Richey genuinely has any chance of starting a new life he will have to show such resolve again.

His notoriety will always see him singled out by those seeking to make a name for themselves. Richey says he does his best to keep out of trouble but under such provocation it must be hard for him to continually turn the other cheek. But that is exactly what he must do

His outpourings make it clear that he is in urgent need of medical help and support as he continues to battle his demons. And it has to be feared that if he does not get it, it is only a matter of time before he gets his wish, and finds himself behind bars again.