Dec 20 2007
Prisons Are the New Asylum
Out of 2 million prisoners, 500,000 are mentally ill. My math isn’t the best but that makes 25%, right?
The mental illnesses are clinical and include manic depression (bipolar disorder) and schizophrenia. Prisons are not equipped to treat individuals who have been diagnosed.
Ron Williamson
was bipolar. He wasn’t given his meds and would appear in court incoherent. Chances are that he couldn’t offer much help to his legally blind attorney.Fewer than 55,000 Americans currently receive treatment in psychiatric hospitals. Meanwhile, almost 10 times that number — nearly 500,000 — mentally ill men and women are serving time in U.S. jails and prisons. As sheriffs and prison wardens become the unexpected and often ill-equipped caretakers of this burgeoning population, they raise a troubling new concern.
I have so much to say on this subject. I actually wrote an article about it. Here’s some of what I said in my article .
My elderly aunt has recently sought the services of NAMI her 47-year-old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties. He’s been arrested for petty crimes such as vandalism and disorderly conduct. NAMI is currently working to educate her about schizophrenia. NAMI also provides family to family support., where people who have family members with mental illnesses support people who‘s loved one’s have just been diagnosed. Along with all of the support programs that NAMI provides, they will also give families a better understanding about how the court system works when it comes to crimes committed by the mentally ill.
I was in constant contact with the director of the program and It really is amazing how the mentally ill are treated in the legal system. Thanks New Linda, for posting about this subject. It really is dear to me. My aunt has been through hell and back trying to get help for her son. It’s a story that is way below the radar.
[…] response to Prison Are the New Asylum, Rainlillie (visit her blog) provided the following […]
Many mental health institutions have closed down which left many peopel with a mental illness on the street. They do not have any medication, treatment or support system.
To be mentally ill in this society, you have to have medical insurance, unfortunately, there are way too many Americans alone that cant afford it. So the option…lose your mind. Just doesnt seem fair. Thats probably why I catch myself playing with my bottom lip at times.