I was watching Prison Nation a couple nights ago and they said sometimes they keep The Mentally Ill in Segragation(Cells where you are alone and you walk alone you dont see anybody but police officers for up to 3 years.) Almost 50% of Mentally Ill people are in Segragation otherwise known as "the hole." Do you think this is right? Tell me your opinion now!
These mentally ill people come out even crazier... Also, even average human beings come out crazy... Basically no human interaction for years... Can you imagine?
2007-11-27 07:15:14 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I've worked in prison and I'm here to tell you that it is much safer for the general population and staff to keep violent criminals (mentally ill or otherwise) segregated. It is a fallacy when you say they have "no" human contact. The contact is limited; however, it is impossible to keep anyone totally separated from the human race. They see correctional officers, correctional counselors, medical staff, etc. Plus, they have access to library material and other forms of diversion while they do their time in seg. They may have limited yard time (individually with no company) and they are still in possession of three square meals and a cot. Even in seg, they get better medical treatment than I can afford for myself and my family. There is an entire code of conduct and policies regarding inmate rights...and believe me, they don't suffer anymore than the people they violated in the procession of their crime. Segregation is there for a reason and if you really want to know what it is like, ask for a tour of a real prison. It's good PR for them to grant tours to the general public.
2007-11-27 07:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by RT 66 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't believe what you see on TV. What you saw were people who were there because they were dangerous and disruptive, not because of their mental illness. Most of the prisoners with mental illness are out with the general population. The ones locked up are the ones who have proven that when left out in the general population, they will kill, stab, rape and beat other inmates and staff. The fact is, mentally ill or not, they are not safe to be let out of those cells, without strict supervision and controls.
2007-11-27 22:31:59 · answer #2 · answered by joseph b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are better solutions to dealing with people like that the only problem is its not only cheaper but easier for the state/fed prisons to separate them from contact.
when they are put in solitude it not only avoids conflict with other inmates it separates them from the outside world. news,events, anything and everything that we view as normal is stripped away
and for most that can bring even the average persons sanity to a breaking point.
its not the best way to deal with those that were already unstable mentally
but they do it because they can and have gotten away with it for so long w/o someone stepping up and questioning their practices. just 2 prove a point look at the conditions some nursing homes for the elderly were on a daily basis until they started regulating living conditions/treatment for all nursing homes and staff
2007-11-27 15:28:56 · answer #3 · answered by captainsmiley_2084 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's awful! I can't believe people could do that to another human being! I think the people that do that are the ones that should be the ones in the loony bin, not the mentally ill people. The only way to deal with mental illness is to try and work with it, not eliminate it. Someone should start a petition about this...
2007-11-27 15:20:46 · answer #4 · answered by Mattie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about the USA but here in UK this is an offence against the Human rights act.
Every vulnerable person must have a mentor and if they have a mental illness or a learning difficulty they should be seen by a doctor, not always a police surgeon.
2007-11-27 15:20:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They should have better places, but unfortunately, it is often necessary for some mentally ill to be isolated or restrained. Many are violent and dangerous even if they are nice people when they are not ill or have meds that work for them.
I have a good amount of experience with mental illness.
Debbie
2007-11-27 15:18:10 · answer #6 · answered by debbiepittman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They find that most people serving long term prison sentences are mentally ill, or lacking and education.
I never heard of them putting them in solitary for years though. Unless they are on death row. I actually think that there is a certain amount of time they are allowed to keep someone in solitary unless they are a constant threat.
2007-11-27 15:18:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT ok. Interaction is a basic human need. You wouldn't want to put anyone else in danger, but there are ways to interact safely with mentally ill people, even in prison.
2007-11-27 15:19:48 · answer #8 · answered by musicimprovedme 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suppose they could keep them so drugged up that they can't move in a dorm with others like them. The mentally ill in prison are some seriously sociopathic people.
I'm just happy they're not out on the streets.
2007-11-27 15:18:17 · answer #9 · answered by Sean 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think it is ok. With proper medication and care these people usually can be helped. I can see why they would come out "crazier". I thought the days of locking the mentally ill away were over! *sad*
2007-11-27 15:18:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋