oDiscussion 3-1

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Apr 3, 2024

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For my issue, I chose the Awareness of the Use of Prisons as Mental Institutions. The article “’I was reaching out for help, and they did not help me’: Mental healthcare in the carceral state” makes an important emphasis on how in equipped jails and prisons are for taking care of those with serious mental illnesses (SMIs). The article explains it is unsuitable for those with SMIs to be in a facility which combines bare minimum therapeutic practices in a disciplinary setting. The research article included volunteers who gave their personal experiences regarding treatment while incarcerated. “Mental Health in Prison: The Unintended but Catastrophic Effects of Deinstitutionalization” explains an academic outlook on the statistics regarding the lack of resources prisons have to take care of severe mental health issues. The articles also explain yes, the asylums were closed, however, there was also no replacement plan and there hasn’t been one since the 1950s. The effectiveness in each article is not as productive as it could be. The problem is obvious, and the solution the articles offer is simply more training. There is mandatory training for law enforcement. Mental Health Units have been established in numerous police departments across the States. Correctional Staff (Federal) are trained in recognizing mental illnesses and de- escalation techniques to be able to help those with SMIs. What good is having the knowledge if we don’t have the resources? Between the academic articles and the media, I don’t see very much of a difference. The articles and the media blame staff for all the issues, not realizing important details associated with situations. Psychology is not at the facility 24/7 and neither is Medical. While there is someone “on-call”, that is one person from a small department for a facility of 1,500-2,300 inmates. References Anna G. Preston, A. R. (n.d.). “I was reaching out for help and they did not help me”: Mental healthcare in the carceral state. Health and Justice, 10 (23). Retrieved July 25, 2022, from https://heinonline- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/hlthjs10&div=24 Jana Soderlund, P. N. (2017). Improving Mental Health in Prisons through Biophilic Design. Prison Journal, 97 (6), 750-772. Retrieved from https://heinonline-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/HOL/Page? handle=hein.journals/prsjrnl97&div=43

We have no choice but to ‘prioritize’ issues. There is no funding and not nearly enough staff to give those with serious issues the treatment they need. I know the inmate with the serious mental illness, and I know what his illness is. So, when it’s 3:00 in the morning and he’s having an episode because someone (not staff) called him a name, I have to rely on my training and start talking to him calmly, and calming him down, so nothing in my unit escalates and no one gets hurt because I literally can’t do anything else. It’s not in my power and just not available. While people and the media may demand more, there is simply too many politics involved and not enough funding or resources. Many states have followed SAPD’s suit and integrated a Mental Health Unit. While people and the media may demand more, there is simply too many politics involved and not enough funding or resources. Including not enough accountability when a staff member fails to follow protocols and trainings regarding de-escalation tactics. What good is having the knowledge if we don’t have the resources? Between the academic articles and the media, I don’t see very much a difference. Very few perceptions consider the viewpoint of the law enforcement staff because of the villainous stigmas that’s now often associated with law enforcement. The articles and the media blame staff for all the issues, not realizing important details associated with situations. Psychology is not at the facility 24/7 and neither is Medical. While there is someone “on-call”, that is one person for a facility of 1,500-2,300 inmates. We have no choice but to prioritize issues. There is no funding and not nearly enough staff to give those with serious issues the treatment they need. I know the inmate with the serious mental illness, and I know what his illness is. So, when it’s 3:00 in the morning and he’s having an episode because someone (not staff) called him a name, I have to rely on my training and start talking to him calmly, and calming him down, so nothing in my unit escalates and no one gets hurt because I literally can’t do anything else. It’s not in my power and just not available.

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