Presentation Essentials
The state of our Prisons
Presentation
Introduction
Research has found out that state prisons tend to hold more mentally ill individuals than psychiatric hospitals
The number of mentally ill prisoners held by the individuals is said to be more than ten times.
The result of this has been a change in prison warders duties to become caretakers of these ill individuals.
This has generally led to poor services being delivered as prisons are less equipped with very poorly trained individuals.
Recent research has found out that a good number of state prisons are holding more mentally ill individuals than psychiatric hospitals do. The number of mentally ill prisoners is said to be ten times more than in the psychiatric hospitals. The result of this has been poor service delivery
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Continuation
Current problem
State prisons have thus been converted to asylums for several individuals suffering from mental illnesses in the United States.
Population
The population targeted is made up of the inmates
Thesis statement
Although prison is the appropriate place for individuals who may cause harm to others or to themselves, correctional facilities are not the right place for mentally unstable convicts (Fuller, 2015).
The problem being experienced currently is that of having state prisons acting as asylums for mentally ill individuals. In this, it is important to note that despite prisons being the best facilities to correct individuals, they are actually not the right places to put mentally ill convicts.
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Background
Mentally unstable patients in the past were being locked up in dungeons and isolated from the rest of the world.
Over 75%cases of mental illnesses are recorded in prisons and jails.
There is little information concerning the efforts made to minimize the increase of mental disorders in prisons.
People who are mentally ill have in the past been isolated from the others. The current statistics indicate that a good number of mentally ill individuals are in prisons and jails and there is inadequate information to know more about their health conditions.
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Major Points
Prisoners are at a higher risk of getting psychological disorders than the general public (Wolfe et al. 2014).
Mental disorders more common among females and young prisoners.
Homelessness for prisoners suffering from mental illness
History of physical or sexual abuse among inmates with mental health problems
It has been noted that a good number of prisoners happen to be exposed to a higher risk of acquiring psychological disorders than the general public does. Most of these disorders are always common with young female prisoners and escalated by issues like homelessness and having a history of either a sexual or physical abuse.
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Continuation
There is little to no access of treatment for inmates.
Challenges public health professionals meet in prison
Effects of isolation in correction facilities
The government and public health officials should be held responsible for the growing number of mental illnesses in prison.
Reformation of correction facilities treatment laws
Implementing treatment programs for prisoners with severe psychological illnesses.
It is also very clear to note that there happens to be little or not access of treatment for inmates and the government as well as the public health officials should be held responsible for the rising number of mental illnesses in prison.
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Methodology
The most appropriate methods to collect data for this study include:-
Survey of inmates in correction facilities
Data quality needs to be ensured by all means for purposes ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the whole process.
Results
Achieved by using data from prisons
Arrived at by using data from the local jails
Taking surveys among the prisons and interviewing the inmates is one of the best ways of getting the right information about the state as it is in the prisons. Looking at data from prisons as well as from local jails will offer an effective avenue for the right information.
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Conclusions
Prisoners are greatly threatened by intellectual health complications as compared to the general public.
Recommendations
Public health professionals should ensure all inmates get medical attention even when under solitary confinement (Brown, 2015).
To conclude, it is important to note that prisoners are significantly threatened by intellectual health issues compared to the other individuals in the public and this calls for the adoption of the right techniques to help solve the issues experienced.
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References
Brown, R. L. (2015). Decriminalizing Mental Illness: The Need for Treatment over Incarceration Before Prisons Become the New Asylums for the Mentally Ill.
Fields, G., & Phillips, E. E. (2013). The new asylums: jails swell with mentally ill. Wall Street Journal, 25.
Fuller, D. (2015). The New Asylums: Mentally Ill and Behind Bars.
Wolfe, H. R., Haas, S., &Olley, C. (2014). Prison Abuse and Mental Health.