...Prison Abstract The increase in incarcerated individuals with mental illness in the preceding decades has made the prison system a prevalent mental health provider even though they are not prepared or equipped for such task. Prison life is tough on an individual’s mental health; overcapacity, lack of privacy, violent behavior, lack of activity, inadequate health services, seclusion from family and friends, and the insecurity of what life holds after prison contribute to the inmate’s mental health. Inmates whose judgment is altered or impaired by depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe mental illnesses are impacted more severely by the tribulations of prison life. Inadequate mental health services is also something mentally ill inmates face, this absconds them undertreated or mistreated. Numerous prisoners do not receive proper psychotropic medication due to the lack of mental health services and care, further impairing their capability to function. The security mission of prisons tends to overlook mental health considerations. Prison rules and codes of demeanor teach staff about security, safety, supremacy, and power. Coordinating the needs of the mentally ill with prison regulations and goals is almost impractical. Factors of the sources and effects of the concern between prison and mental illness will be observed in this research proposal. Reforms will be provided to improve mental health requirements and defend the rights of the increasing population...
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...and Incarceration HOMELESS AND INCARCERATION Homelessness is the problem that influences the life of the whole society. It is critical for the United States and as almost half a million of citizens do not have their own houses. They do not have the opportunities that the representatives of the general public have and cannot afford even some basic needs. Homeless individuals have to break the law and commit crimes, such as stealing food, even though they do not intend to do so, which leads to mass incarceration. This influences their behavior and increases the chances of becoming drug or alcohol addicts, which makes homeless individuals even more likely to become incarcerated. People who are imprisoned, often have no or underpaid job that does not provide these people with money enough to have a decent residence, which makes them a vulnerable population (Johnson 2015). It is important to consider what makes homeless people commit crimes that result in imprisonment. The information from various articles received during the literature review, I will reveal the connection between homelessness and incarceration, emphasizing the history that lead to their occurrence as well as the main causes of both problems. I will point out and explain the correlations between homelessness and crime rates, as well as its connections to the mental disorders, substance abuse, and chronic health condition in the context of how homeless lifestyle can be related to the incarceration. Also...
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...We discard unstable people into prisons and tell them to fix themselves along with their problems without help or guidance, but when an untrained whelp, young canine, discharges on the floor we don’t just kick them outside to fix something they’re unaware is wrong. Yes, if a criminal does something against the law, they most certainly should be locked away, considering when dealing with people who have a mental disorder, isolating them for the crimes they commit will not truly help them change to prevent future mistakes. The fact is spreading around like a wildfire about how poorly treated a vast majority of mentally ill are- especially within prisons. But nothing seems to be getting accomplished about this issue. Although, in a few places...
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...in a survey by Vera institute, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit center for justice policy and practice. The survey referenced above included 40 states where the price of incarceration has skyrocketed to an unignorable $33,495,070 for imprisoning persons. Prison costs are now the 2nd largest cost to the US taxpayer, behind Medicaid (Vera). In a study conducted by Professor Donald Black, an instructor at the university of Iowa’s department of psychology, it was found that 20% of prisoners have antisocial personality disorder or ASPD, consequently this data shows a large amount of prison costs can be attributed to those with ASPD. However, in comparison...
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...mass incarceration, inequity and gun law disparities to name a few are constantly at odds with current affairs. The U.S. Constitution shapes the U.S. Criminal Justice System with rights and due process for all citizens. The US Criminal Justice System is currently faced with challenges of prison overcrowding, mental health, drug offenses, inequity and gun violence. American society keeps asking for changes to be made to each part of the system. Changes and the...
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...strengthen the criminal system. So, instead of the government focusing helping the mentally ill, they are intent in strengthening the criminal system. The consequences to cutting funds in community health centers and clinics are that the mentally ill are not being properly treated, and, as a result, many of these people end up suffering from their disease, from casualties to death. Another consequence to cutting funds is that since people are being left untreated, this leads to an increase in mass incarceration rates. Also, looking at it in a net worth perspective,...
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...Women Offenders in the United States By the end of 2007, there were more than 1.27 million women in prison or jail or on parole or probation in the United States. The most common crimes for women offenders are drug related or property crimes. Education, or the lack thereof, is a major component in the incarceration of women. There are various rehabilitation programs for female inmates re-entering society, in hopes for them to become productive members of society once again. Besides the fact that they are incarcerated, there are many different emotional, health related, and family issues that women offenders have to deal with. Over the past 3 decades, the female prison population has risen 832%.Whether the motivator is money, addiction, pressure, or for self, there is a growing trend in the United States involving women, crime, and prison, and the statistics surrounding them are not only growing but disturbing. The rate of incarceration varies by race. By mid 2008 Caucasian females lead in incarceration rates over African American, Latino, and Asian offenders. An issue that was once taboo, has now become the norm. The person who was once looked upon as the backbone of the family and the household is slowly disappearing and becoming a leading statistic in our criminal justice system. When discussing criminal behavior, it was usually only seen from the crimes men committed; women offenders were rarely discussed mainly because female criminal behavior has been commonly...
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...TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER Antisocial Personality Disorder: Also referred to as sociopathy or psychopathy interventions for people with antisocial personality disorder are poorly researched and direct evidence on the treatment of this population is scarce (British Psychological Society; 2010). it is also hard to assess how effective the available treatments are in dealing with APD’s symptoms. Antisocial personality disorder is one of the most difficult personality disorders to treat. People with the disorder rarely seek treatment on their own. Treatment is usually by force for eg. when required to by a court, the threat of termination of employment, impending divorce etc. (Grossmann, 2004 pg. 182). Treatment Even when diagnosed it can be difficult to treat the disorder. This is largely because by definition people with the disorder do not care that they are causing pains and problems, “they are possessed of an absent or defective conscience, restraints must usually be provided by external forces” (Grossman et al. 2004 pg. 182). Incarceration/criminal justice system: Sometimes hospitalization in a mental facility or incarceration during the most active criminal periods in a prison facility are necessary treatment steps. The majority of individuals receiving interventions for APD and associated problems will be in the criminal justice system – with the intervention provided by the probation or prison services. The aim being to reduce the offending...
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...By the end of 2007, there were more than 1.27 million women in prison or jail or on parole or probation in the United States. The most common crimes for women offenders are drug related or property crimes. Education, or the lack thereof, is a major component in the incarceration of women. There are various rehabilitation programs for female inmates re-entering society, in hopes for them to become productive members of society once again. Besides the fact that they are incarcerated, there are many different emotional, health related, and family issues that women offenders have to deal with. Over the past 3 decades, the female prison population has risen 832%.Whether the motivator is money, addiction, pressure, or for self, there is a growing trend in the United States involving women, crime, and prison, and the statistics surrounding them are not only growing but disturbing. The rate of incarceration varies by race. By mid 2008 Caucasian females lead in incarceration rates over African American, Latino, and Asian offenders. An issue that was once taboo, has now become the norm. The person who was once looked upon as the backbone of the family and the household is slowly disappearing and becoming a leading statistic in our criminal justice system. When discussing criminal behavior, it was usually only seen from the crimes men committed; women offenders were rarely discussed mainly because female criminal behavior has been commonly perceived as a less serious problem...
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...Invisible Afflictions of Correctional Facilities There is a growing consensus that solitary confinement develops a host of psychological stresses to manifest physical ailments in the form of indigestion, constipation, ulcers, stomachaches, headaches, hypertension, or asthma (Sindee, 2016, p. 177). The ‘bad-news list’ (BNL) gives such exposure to marked convicts that earn a standing to be assaulted upon first glimpse. Several grounds range from unsuccessful chances to repay a drug debt, spilling the beans on another inmate, and so on. Its emotional impression brings a perpetual fear of assault resulting in the sense of helplessness to depression by correctional officers or other inmates’ actions of pressure or manipulation. These, “people have...
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...Case Study on Mental Illness Cherelle Floyd HCA/210 March 2, 2011 Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Metal illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptom by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community service can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery. Metal illnesses are serious medical illnesses....
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...David Berkowitz Paper Jennifer Colvin Hilbert College In class we were shown a documentary about a serial killer named David Berkowitz. David is also known as the “Son of Sam.” Berkowitz managed to frighten all of New York City when he killed six people and injured another seven in the 1970’s. “Son of Sam” had a natural urge to kill his real family, but instead attacked a 14-year old girl with a knife on Christmas Eve in 1975 (A&E Television Networks, 2014). Fortunately for her she survived the attack. Shortly after, Berkowitz committed his first crime, he had an objective to kill women for vengeance on his mother. After the first attack, David decided to use a .44 caliber gun to kill his victims instead of a knife because the knife was too personal. This continued for over a year, then he started dropping hints. He wrote letters to the police saying why he committed the crimes he did. The police discovered it was David after he got a parking ticket. The police arrested David Berkowitz on August 10, 1977. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years to life times six. David was adopted, by middle class parents, Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz. His biological mother died giving birth to him. He spent his childhood blaming himself for killing his real mom. In the Berkowitz household, David grew up having a distinct bond with his mother, Pearl, however, barely had much in common with his father, Nathan. At just 10-years old, David began to see a psychiatrist, but...
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...A person with a mental disability can act uncontrollably at times, causing them to commit a crime. In the United States, people with mental illnesses have been confined in jails and prisons between 1770 and 1820. Incarcerating such people was considered inhumane, so mentally ill people were placed into hospitals instead of jails up until 1970. Ever since the 1970s, people with mental disorders are being imprisoned for their crimes(Torrey). America once considered incarcerating the mentally ill to be inhumane, but then they suddenly changed their mind and have considered it to be legal. Ever since the 1970s, numbers of imprisoned people with mental illnesses has exponentially increased, “In 2012, there were estimated to be 356,268 inmates with severe mental illness in prisons and jails. There were also approximately 35,000 patients with severe mental illness in state psychiatric hospitals”(Torrey). There is approximately ten...
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...from a Mental Illness? Keith Arvanitis Due Date: December 16h, 2015 Abstract I am writing this research paper as it affects me on a personal level. I chose this topic so I could learn more about the subject and use the information to better assist me in my dealings with the Maine Department of Corrections and with my day to day mental health issues. I was recently released from Maine State Prison on March 20th, 2015 after serving a two year sentence. Recently, I went to a psychiatrist for an evaluation and the doctor diagnosed me with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and with Bipolar 1. This research paper will also provide me insight on how to better assist clients in this situation as I am pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Mental Health and Human Services. I will be discussing through research I have located and with my own expert testimony how a probation officer can assist an offender with a mental illness. Research Methods The tools available to research my questions about this topic were within the University of Maine Augusta Library Resources such as OneSearch, Google Scholar, Ursus, and EBSCO Host. As well as searching various government agency websites such as the National Institute of Corrections (www.nicic.org) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov) . Each of the websites provided various information on stats, charts, and detailed information on community corrections, probation and mental health...
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...All of these disorders impair normal functioning of the human brain and therefore it would be cruel to sentence them to harsh punishment in prison. For example, solitary confinement, as previously discussed, results in adverse psychological effects. Locking a mentally ill prisoner in a dark room for twenty hours a day will worsen their sanity and increase risks of suicide and recidivism if or when released. This is completely unnecessary and harmful when what many prisoners need is mental health treatment. When they do not receive it, their condition will worsen. When put in an inhumane environment, their mental health will deteriorate. It would be a more effective method of management to implement psychotherapy or behaviour modification as a form of treatment for these offenders to target the root cause of their crime, which will minimize the likelihood of them reoffending. This has been studied and discovered to be true, as Vanderbilt...
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