When should we lock up people who are mentally ill and throw away the key?

Question

how sane should you have to be

Answer 1

WE can start with you.

Answer 2

All depends on what you mean by locking up mentally ill. The prisons are overflowing with them and that's wrong. If locked up in a hospital, yes, if that is required. Much of the mentally ill though originated with the Reagan Administration. Funding stopped for clinic treatment and medication. The result they're in prisons and costing taxpayers more than ever. Mentally ill are not criminals. They are ill. And they are being the care they need. If so ill as to necessitate locking up for protection, not forever. There should be periodical reviews. If safe released but monitored outpatient care.

Answer 3

People should be SEPARATED from mainstream society when their qualities pose a danger to themselves or other members of society.

However "lock up" and "throw away the key" are emotive terms that imply discarding and disposability of species non-mainstream members.

They need to be treated respectfully, compassionately and offered support, understanding and rehabilitation opportunities. Not all conditions are readily understood, permanent or beyond redemption.
Many incarcerations have been proven to be unwarranted but often, almost irreversible.

To not accord equal value to the mentally ill as to those not similarly gifted/challenged is to diminish the worth of those of more regular society. Alternately to appropriately care for these people is to enhance the life value and standards of us all collectively.

Answer 4

Unfortunately our legal system does not allow us to do this. Some times even violent mentally ill people are set free and returned after tragically killing a few people. Doctors believe the mentally ill patients can be cured and when they are fit they let them go. The way I see it a lot of people can get away with murder and immune against prosecution simply by proving that they are mentally ill and not responsible for their actions or that they have been taking treatments for their illness.

Answer 5

I was just going to ask you how mentally ill? You could be locking up almost everyone if the qualifications aren't too high.

Answer 6

First of all they are people and second of all "locking them up" was the old thing they did, before something called DEINSTUTIONALIZATION occured. Now they can be treated and live productive lives in society just as you can.

Answer 7

if you are a threat to others or yourself then you should remain incacerated.there should always be a hope for the person of eventual rehabilitation to society however there is a very small minority that should never be released into society.recidivism being the problem.

Answer 8

As long as they are not physically harming people, I see no reason to lock them up.

Would YOU like to be locked up? I'm sure that can be arranged, lol.

Answer 9

Not lock them up, but help them try and live a normal life

Answer 10

I think some one who habitually commits acts of violence against anyone should be put away. Why wait until they've killed some one. I say don't give them the chance. One life lost is to much.

Answer 11

i agree with stan P i have someone in the familie and is current in a menthal nursinghome, however if those peoble stay on there right medication they can be just as normal as you and me