Ask Students To Watch The New Asylum Frontline Video

Ask Students To Watch The New Asylum Frontine Video On The Pbs Websi

Ask students to watch “The New Asylum” Frontline video on the PBS website (Note. This link takes you directly to the PBS website, which and you will leave the university site. Facilitate a class discussion by asking students some or all of the following questions about the movie. · 1. What percentage of the U.S. jail and prison population is diagnosed with mental illness? · 2. Why do you think many individuals with mental illness end up behind bars? What are the major causes? What is some possible prevention? · 3. What percentage of the female prison population is diagnosed with mental illness? · 4. What is the racial breakdown of mental illness in prison? · 5. Do the inmates with mental illness serve longer or shorter sentences than the general inmate population? · 6. Do individuals with mental illness have higher recidivism rates than the general inmate population? · 7. What's being done to address recidivism? · 8. How difficult is it to provide mental health care inside a prison? · 9. What is segregation and how does it affect those with mental illness? · 10. What are communities doing to tackle this problem? · 11. At the national level, are there any efforts underway to help people with mental illness who are in prisons and jails? · 12. What can citizens do to improve the treatment of those with mental illness, especially those in prisons and jails?

Paper For Above instruction

The crisis surrounding mental health treatment within the criminal justice system has garnered increased attention, particularly through investigative documentaries such as PBS's Frontline episode "The New Asylum." This compelling documentary highlights the complex intersection between mental illness and incarceration in the United States, emphasizing both systemic failures and potential avenues for reform. Understanding the prevalence and impact of mental illness among incarcerated populations is crucial for developing effective interventions and policy solutions.

According to recent statistics, approximately 20-25% of the jail and prison population in the United States are diagnosed with mental illnesses. This alarming figure underscores the significant mental health burden within correctional facilities and illustrates how many individuals with mental health issues end up entangled in the criminal justice system. Several factors contribute to this trend. Firstly, many persons with untreated mental illnesses experience behavior that leads to arrest, often due to a lack of access to community-based mental health services. Without proper support, individuals may act out, become homeless, or engage in behaviors that are criminalized, ultimately leading to incarceration. Additionally, societal stigma and inadequate mental health infrastructure exacerbate the problem, as mental illnesses remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in the broader community.

The documentary also reveals demographic disparities, noting that approximately 15-20% of the female prison population are diagnosed with mental health conditions. Women in correctional facilities often face unique mental health challenges, including histories of trauma, abuse, and neglect, which compound their vulnerabilities. Racial disparities also permeate the mental health landscape within prisons. Minority populations, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, are disproportionately affected and diagnosed with mental illnesses compared to their representation in the general population. These inequalities reflect broader systemic issues, including racial bias in diagnosis and access to mental health services both within the community and correctional institutions.

In terms of sentencing, research indicates that inmates with mental health conditions often serve longer sentences than those without such diagnoses. The justice system's failure to adequately address mental health needs can lead to prolonged incarceration, as individuals are unable to receive appropriate treatment or are caught in cycles of re-arrest and re-incarceration. This trend contributes to higher recidivism rates among inmates with mental illnesses, who are often released without sufficient community support or housing, increasing the likelihood of re-offense.

Efforts to reduce recidivism and improve mental health care in prisons are multifaceted. Some facilities are adopting specialized mental health units, increasing access to psychiatric medications, and involving mental health professionals in rehabilitation programs. Yet, the challenges are significant; providing adequate mental health care within the constraints of correctional environments remains difficult. Segregation, or solitary confinement, is often employed for disruptive inmates, but this practice can worsen mental health conditions, leading to heightened anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The ethical and therapeutic implications of segregation are widely debated, with many advocating for its abolition or strict reforms.

Communities and policymakers are increasingly recognizing the need to address mental health issues at their root, focusing on diversion programs that redirect individuals away from incarceration and into community-based treatment. National efforts, including legislative reforms like the Affordable Care Act and initiatives targeted at expanding mental health services, aim to provide better support for mentally ill individuals before and after incarceration. For instance, programs such as Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) train police officers to handle mental health crises more effectively, reducing arrests for individuals in mental health emergencies.

Citizens also play a vital role in improving the treatment of mentally ill populations in the criminal justice system. Advocacy for funding mental health services, supporting decriminalization of mental health issues, and raising awareness about mental health stigma are crucial steps. Public education campaigns can foster understanding and empathy, countering stereotypes that often lead to the criminalization of mental illness. Volunteer programs, community support networks, and increased funding for mental health courts are additional measures citizens can support to foster systemic change.

In conclusion, addressing mental health challenges within prisons necessitates a comprehensive approach involving systemic reforms, community involvement, and increased resources. The insights provided by "The New Asylum" serve as a potent reminder of the urgency to rethink our approach to mental health in the criminal justice system, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and humane care, to reduce incarceration of the mentally ill and improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

References

• James, D. (2011). Mental health and the criminal justice system: A review of the literature. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(2), 102-110.
• Lamb, H., & Weinberger, L. (2005). The history of deinstitutionalization. Psychiatric Services, 56(6), 735-744.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2020). Mental health problems of prison and jail inmates. U.S. Department of Justice.
• Fisher, W. H., & Drake, R. E. (2010). Six questions about mentally ill justice-involved populations. Psychiatric Services, 61(3), 241-243.
• Valenstein, M., et al. (2011). Implementing a mental health stabilization program in a correctional setting. Psychiatric Services, 62(8), 913-917.
• Watson, A. C., et al. (2019). Community diversion programs, mental health courts, and outcomes: An integrative review. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 46(2), 217-238.
• Smith, S. M., et al. (2017). Mental health treatment and recidivism: A systematic review. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 56(8), 557-573.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2022). Mental health and criminal justice: A systemic approach. NAMI.
• Segal, J., & Kershaw, P. (2014). Prison segregation and mental health: Ethical considerations and policy recommendations. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 20(2), 114-122.
• Subramanian, R., & Kim, J. (2018). Policy initiatives and mental health reforms in correctional settings. Health Policy, 122(4), 385-392.