Mental Health Issues In Prison Essay Example

📌Category: Health, Mental health
📌Words: 774
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 20 June 2022

“Today, over 50 percent of prison and jail inmates in the United States have a diagnosed mental illness, a rate nearly five times greater than that of the general adult population.” (Stevenson 188). More than 50 percent of prison and jail inmates in the U.S. have a diagnosed mental illness. But, many of them don’t get the proper care they need. Also, according to a study, the number of federal prisons that do get help has dropped since a policy change in 2014 (Thompson and Eldridge). Because of prison suicides, solitary confinement, and the inefficient care that already exists, we must give mentally ill prisoners proper care and treatment.

Despite this growing issue, many aren’t in favor of this because while mentally ill, they are still criminals: “‘Montross deemed it imprudent for one to suggest that she use her newly earned degree to help those imprisoned: ‘Why would I want to work in the prisons?’ Montross asked. Why devote my time and attention to people who had committed crimes when there were so many innocent people who needed care?’” (Bonner). Lots of people share that mentality when it comes to criminals. 10 percent of U.S. homicides are committed by individuals with untreated severe psychiatric disorders. (“1000 Homicides by mentally ill”). Many would believe that they deserve punishment. Seeing the people as the problem rather than the illnesses. Yet, these people fail to realize what an improperly treated and untreated mental illness can do to someone, and why these prisoners need proper care.

The foremost reason is that untreated mental illnesses can lead to suicide. One only needs to look at an autopsy study from 2009 to see the proof. Psychiatrist Dr. Tanney discovered that "an average of 90 percent of those who committed suicide in prison received a diagnosis for a mental disorder after their death” (Bonner). Moreover, a study revealed that "The combined number of suicides, suicide attempts, and self-inflicted injuries had increased 18 percent from 2015—when the bureau began tracking such figures—through 2017" (Thompson and Eldridge). Most suicides in prison are committed by one with a mental disorder and the number is rising. Also, the study from 2009 shows that most are not even recognized to have one until after their death. This is proof of a lack of proper care, which we need, for those with mental disorders.

Additionally, though many are placed in solitary confinement, it does not help the inmate's mental health; it worsens it. Many are placed into solitary confinement only to be rid of. They are what the prison guards would refer to as a "problem". (Bonner). Being isolated in solitary confinement can cause stress. Which can lead to permanent changes in their brains and personality (Quandt and Jones). Not only that, but it can lead to depression and even suicide: "Placement in solitary confinement strongly connects to an increased rate of suicide, depression, alienation, and even more severe forms of mental illness." (Bonner). It is clear that they are not getting help when there are not only permanent changes in the brain but also an increased rate of depression, suicide, alienation, and severe forms of mental illness. If we are going to give proper mental health care to the prisoners that need it, then we need to first make sure they are not in solitary confinement.

Finally, the care that they do get is inefficient. Yes, the mentally ill do get care already, but, it is flawed and inefficient. Inmates not finishing treatment and prisoners not being on the right care level are only two examples of inefficient care. Now some people can go to mental hospitals. However, some of them end up waiting in prisons to get into one: "IF A JUDGE FINDS SOMEONE IN JAIL MENTALLY INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL. USUALLY, THEY'RE SENT TO A STATE FACILITY FOR TREATMENT. OFTEN, THEY HAVE TO WAIT MONTHS. SOMETIMES A YEAR OR MORE. IN OUR LOCAL JAILS BEFORE GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.” (KVUE 00:27-00:38). They have to wait for months or even years to get help. While one is on the list, how long one waits can greatly depend on their security level. While non-maximum security has nine options, maximum security only has two options (KVUE 1:42-2:10). This can cause the wait for maximum security prisoners to have to wait longer for care. If prisons and jails were able to provide care then these people would have been able to get help while they were waiting for the mental hospitals.

In brief, while they do get care, it would help significantly if they just got the proper care while in prison. Untreated or inadequately treated mental illness will worsen one's mental health. We need to change how we go about treating and caring for inmates with mental disorders; One way you can help is by donating to National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI). You would want to help someone if you knew the state of their mental health could lead them to commit suicide, right? So why is it different for those in prison?

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