Mental Disorders In Prisons

Mistreatment of Prison Inmates with Mental Disorders and the Effects on the Individual

Throughout county jails, there is a large population with serious healthcare needs, such as mental illnesses and medical conditions; The majority of these individuals are not violent criminals, most of the inmates have not gone to trial and the rest are serving short sentences for minor crimes. However, few jails are equipped to provide the extensive mental health services that are needed for these individuals. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2015), only one-third of individuals who enter jail with mental conditions are receiving proper treatment. Since the mentally ill inmates do not receive the proper treatment, they suffer and the

disorder escalates. By jailing citizens with mental illnesses, it not only affects the individual, but it creates misfortune with the law enforcement, state, and local budget.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (2006) reports, mental illness affects a greater percentage of jailed women than men.

In local jails, 75 percent of the women and 63 percent of the men have at least one mental illness. In federal prisons, 61 percent of the women have a mental disorder and 44 percent of the men. In state prison there is, 73 percent of female inmates and 55 percent of male inmates with a mental illness. The common mental illnesses includes depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and trauma related disorders. People with these illnesses will have impairments with standard functioning, such as inadequate problem solving skills, lacking foresight and motivation for community involvement.

In many communities, the appropriate level of care is not available, leaving the mentally ill untreated. Although hospitals include brief mental care, it is not efficient when compared to outpatient programs; An intensive outpatient program includes daily treatments and residential care. Without proper treatments, these illnesses can impair judgement, thinking and mood. Disordered thinking and paranoid delusions can lead to criminal behaviors. Therefore, without the effective treatment, some patients believe the only safe place is

incarceration.

Additionally, law enforcement and judicial practices also contribute to the massive amounts of mentally ill inmates. According to Teplin (1984), there is evidence that police arrest mentally ill citizens more than they arrest the general public. There is also records of police arresting a mentally unstable person to provide brief safety and shelter. On occasion, judges convict mentally ill inmates to longer sentences. In many communities, law enforcement is considered more capable of responding to mentally ill citizens than the local mental health systems.

Throughout the jail system, there are numerous mentally ill inmates with stories on their incarceration. For example, the 48-year old bank robber, J.J came from a middle-class background. She was a senior in college when she developed paranoid schizophrenia. During J.J’s life, she was either hospitalized or homeless; until 1989 when she robbed a bank in order to escape a care home, where she believed she was being poisoned. Since her arrest, she robs banks in order to be arrested again because she believes that is the best way for her to obtain safety. Although J.J feels safe incarcerated, with proper treatment she could continue life in a community environment.

Many mentally ill people believe prisons are the safe place, but according to the Human Rights Watch (2003), prisons are damaging places for mentally ill people. Due to other prisoners exploiting and prison staff punishing the inmate for symptoms of their illness. Which can include being noisy, refusing orders, attempting suicide and self-mutilation. Since these symptoms occur these inmates are more likely to receive isolation housing, which can lead to acute psychosis.