Is it Right to Put the Mentally Ill in Prison? (5 min)

Thank you Jane. I really appreciate it. The stress has become SO overwhelming to me & my family. So, thank you Jane....

I agree, Debra. We don't do a very good job of helping people who are mentally ill. But I hope we're on the right track to make changes. Thanks for posting this. I'm sorry that your brother, and by extension the stress it's put on you and your family, has had these experiences instead of receiving the assistance he needs to become healthier.

My 36 year old (bipolar schizo-effective disorder) has been in and out of jail for the past 20 years. He has also been in a fewl drug rehabilitation facilities (over the years, although, now he is not using) for his heroin addiction. Two weeks ago, he was hiding in the bathroom (of my Father's house) because he said that "little men with flashlights" were in the backyard after him. He called 911 himself, and stated that he was suicidal. After 72 hours of being held at the hospital, and watched by security, the hospital discharges him home, claiming he was "stable, since they found no drugs in his system". He either gets put back on the streets, or given jail time. They released him (according to the Nurse) because he wanted to be discharged, due to his court date coming up the next day. This has been ongoing for 20 years. And, I know why. Its because he has Medicaid; Medicaid doesn't pay well. So, it's cheaper to release these mentally ill people to the streets. I think it's a shame. As a Licensed Social Worker (MSW, LSW), I have gotten to know the system rather well. I have not only seen this done with my brother (year after year), but with other clients I have. This is how we take care of our mentally ill? This is a sick system, and I do not consider it a free country. It's a country dictated by "how much revenue will be taken in".

Debra Marek, NJ