Mental Illness in Prisons

Since the beginning of the Deinstitutionalization movement, which started in the mid 1970's, the rate of incarcerations due to mental illness has been on a steady rise. Due to the fact that there really is no place for the mentally ill to get the proper care that they need, it has become the responsibility of the corrections department to house and care for them. Those that are employed by the Department of Corrections in one way or another end up placing these mentally ill offenders in prison simply as a way of getting them off the streets and even to just get them out of their "hair" so to speak.

There are many ramifications for this. However, as this is simply an essay based on my own personal opinion, I will simply touch base on a few that I think are extremely relevant. I believe that the ever increasing numbers of those incarcerated with mental illness, are due in part to the fact that the mental health system as a whole has failed them. The real issue begins with the mental health system in that if there were facilities available for treatment and if treatment was made affordable and accessible for all communities, then those who have been left to wander the streets homeless and helpless would be able to obtain the help they need. In providing for their needs, the opportunity and need to commit crimes resulting in their incarceration would be eliminated.

As it stands, prison life is difficult on the inmate's mental state in general. This is due to contributing factors such as overcrowding, the uncertainty of life after prison, the violence, and being out of touch with family and friends. When you place an inmate in prison that is already suffering from a mental illness, these factors only compound the issues even more. (Filner, Jamie)

Along the lines of increased mental health issues, inmates are often punished for behaviors that are generally indicative of mental illnesses. Inmates suffering from mental illness often fail to adhere to even the simplest of rules of conduct put into place in the prisons. For example, self mutilating, refusing to shower, refusing to stand up for count and other forms of self inflicted pain. All of these behaviors would be considered as misconduct by prison officials and are punishable. However, based on the mental states of some of these inmates suffering from severe mental illnesses, they are incapable of understanding and following these simple rules.

Due to the lack of training regarding the handling of mentally ill inmates, and the continuous challenges that they present for prison personnel, these inmates continue to suffer and do not get the proper help that they need to become productive members of society. Statistics have shown that mentally ill inmates have a higher re-incarceration rate simply because when they are released, they are left to fend for themselves and are not given the follow up care that they so desperately