Did you know that an estimated 1 in 5 inmates in the United States suffers from a mental illness? This is a startling statistic, and it’s one that we should all be aware of. The burden of mental illness falls disproportionately on those who are incarcerated. In this post, we will take a closer look at the impact of mental illness on people who are behind bars. We will discuss the challenges that they face and the ways in which we can help them.
The Most Common Mental Illnesses In Prison
There are a number of mental illnesses that are commonly diagnosed among people in prison. These include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. In many cases, these illnesses go undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to a number of problems for inmates, including difficulty functioning in day-to-day life, increased risk of self-harm and suicide, and difficulty following prison rules.
Nearly one-third of all convicts in the United States are thought to be suffering from some type of mental illness. This is a startling figure, especially when you consider that most jails lack appropriate resources to treat these ailments. In many cases, inmates are simply placed on medication and left to fend for themselves.
Federal Prisons And The Toll It Takes
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is responsible for the care and custody of federal inmates. According to the BOP, its goal is “to provide safe, secure, and humane environments for staff and inmates.”
However, a 2016 report from the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General found that the BOP was “failing in its mission” to provide adequate mental health care to inmates. The report found that the BOP:
– Failed to provide timely and appropriate mental health care to inmates in need;
– Used seclusion and restraints excessively;
– Did not properly monitor the use of psychotropic medications.
These findings are not surprising. A 2013 study by the Treatment Advocacy Center found that, on any given day, there are a lot more people in prison developing and suffering from some form of mental illness than in actually psychiatric hospitals. This is a national tragedy. People with serious mental illness should be treated in hospitals, not jails.
Apply For Early Release To Get Proper Treatment
If you are a federal inmate with a serious mental illness. There may be an option for getting early release from federal prison, through the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) “compassionate release” program. Under this program, inmates who meet certain criteria may be released from prison if they are “terminally ill,” have a “serious medical condition,” or are “elderly and infirm.”
To be eligible for compassionate release, an inmate must first submit a request to the warden of their prison. If the warden approves the request, it is then sent to the Regional Director of the BOP, who has the final say on whether or not to grant early release.
Next, we will take a look at why mental illness is so prevalent in the prison system.
People Aren’t Considered Members Of Society
It’s easy to see how people who are incarcerated are considered criminals, and not members of society. But what about people who have mental illnesses? They, too, are often seen as criminals. In fact, people suffering from mental illness tend to be put in jail quite often, usually due to a misunderstanding. And once someone with a mental illness is incarcerated, they’re more likely to be re-incarcerated.
This is because the criminal justice system is not equipped to deal with mental illness. People that are suffering from some sort of disorder tend to be arrested more often as they seem different or suspicious. Once they are in jail they tend to not receive the proper treatment, that they would need. This can lead to a vicious cycle of mental illness and incarceration.
They Are Stripped of Their Identities
They are seen as less than human. They are treated like animals. They are put in cages and told when to eat and when to sleep. They are given no privacy, not even to use the restroom. This is how we treat people in our society today. It’s no wonder that so many of them end up behind bars and end up developing some form of mental illness if they didn’t have one already.
We need to do better. We need to see these people as human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We need to provide them with the resources they need to get better. Otherwise, we are just condemning them to a life of misery and despair.
Separation From Loved Ones
Mental illness is a serious problem in our country, and in the world at large and it’s one that we often ignore. It’s easy to forget about the mentally ill when they’re hidden away in prisons and jails. But the fact is, they’re there, and they’re suffering.
One of the most difficult things for mentally ill inmates is the separation from their loved ones. This can be incredibly hard on them, and it can make their condition worse, in some cases, it can even lead to suicide.
If you have a loved one who is suffering from mental illness, don’t forget about them. They need your support more than ever. Reach out to them and let them know you’re there for them. It might be the difference between life and death.
Exposure To Violence
Being in jail tends to be traumatic even for normal people, let alone for someone who is suffering from an illness. Unfortunately, many inmates are exposed to violence while in jail. This can include physical assaults from other inmates or guards, as well as sexual assault.
This exposure to violence can exacerbate existing mental health problems or even cause new ones. It is important for mental health professionals to be aware of this and provide appropriate counseling and support for inmates who have been exposed to violence.
If you or someone you know has been affected by exposure to violence in jail, please seek professional help. There are resources available to help you deal with the trauma and begin to heal. You are not alone.
Mental illness is a serious problem in our country and one that we need to start taking more seriously. We can no longer ignore the mentally ill who are languishing in our prisons and jails. We need to provide them with the resources they need to get better. Otherwise, we are condemning them to a life of misery and despair.
