Jails and prisons serve as home to the criminals. However, did
you know that the USA is hosting ten times as many mentally-ill individuals in
jail than in mental hospitals?
The Infographic below highlights some of the most depressing
numbers of inmates with psychiatric problems. In fact, statistics suggest that
over 40% of people with a mental issue have been in jail at some point in their
lives.
Unfortunately, jails and prisons with inadequate health
assistance, frequent occurrence of violence, and lack of privacy can create a
negative environment for anyone – especially those who are already suffering
from a disorder often find the jails un-favoring for their condition that
aggravates their mental health and often lead to suicides.
Several organizations work towards making jails a positive environment
for the prisoners. These include:
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- HumanRights Defense Center
- MindFreedom
- PrisonReform Trust
- TreatmentAdvocacy Center
However, not much is being done from the official’s side,
putting many inmates at agony.
Let’s take a look at the Infographic below for some facts
related to the condition of prisons for people with mental health issues.
Infographic by: Best MSW Programs
