https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.

org/evidence-and-research/learn-more-about/3695

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Public-Policy/Jailing-People-with-Mental-Illness

Serious mental illness has become so prevalent in the US corrections system that jails
and prisons are now commonly called “the new asylums.”

In 44 states, a jail or prison holds more mentally ill individuals than the largest remaining
state psychiatric hospital; in every county in the United States with both a county jail and
a county psychiatric facility, more seriously mentally ill individuals are incarcerated than
hospitalized.

A 2009 study based on inmate interviews conducted in Maryland and New York jails
found that, within the month previous to the survey, 16.7% of the inmates (14.5% of
males and 31% of females) had symptoms of a serious mental illness (schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression or brief psychotic disorder).
However, 31% of the inmates who were asked to participate in the study refused, a
subset that almost certainly included many individuals with paranoid schizophrenia.
- it is reasonable to estimate that approximately 20% of jail inmates today have a
serious mental illness.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2006 found that “an estimated 10% of state
prisoners . . . reported symptoms that met criteria for a psychotic disorder.”

In Florida’s Orange County Jail, the average stay for all inmates is 26 days; for mentally
ill inmates, it is 51 days. In New York’s Riker’s Island, the average stay for all inmates is
42 days; for mentally ill inmates, it is 215 days
- The main reason mentally ill inmates are incarcerated longer than other prisoners
is that many find it difficult to understand and follow jail and prison rules. In one
study, jail inmates were twice as likely (19% versus 9%) to be charged with
facility rule violations. In another study, in Washington state prisons, mentally ill
inmates accounted for 41% of infractions even though they constituted only 19%
of the prison population.
- Additionally, pretrial inmates with serious mental illness experience longer
incarcerations than other inmates in many states if they require an evaluation or
restoration of competency to stand trial. A survey of state hospital officials in
2015 found that 78% of the 40 responding states were wait-listing pretrial
inmates for hospital services. The waits were “in the 30-day range” in most
states, but three states reported forensic bed waits of six months to one year.
● In a mental health crisis, people are more likely to encounter police than get
medical help. As a result, 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails
each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into jails have a
serious mental health condition.
● After leaving jail, many no longer have access to needed healthcare and
benefits. A criminal record often makes it hard for individuals to get a job or
housing. Many individuals, especially without access to mental health services
and supports, wind up homeless, in emergency rooms and often re-arrested. At
least 83% of jail inmates with a mental illness did not have access to needed
treatment.
● NAMI- national alliance against mental illness
● Helping people get out of jail and into treatment is a top priority for us. NAMI
believes that everyone should have access to a full array of mental health
services and supports in their communities to help prevent interactions with
police. These supports should include treatment for drug and alcohol use
conditions, and supports like housing, education, supported employment and
peer and family support.
● If individuals do come to the attention of law enforcement, communities should
create options to divert them to treatment and services—before arrest, after
arrest and at all points in the justice system. When individuals are in jail, they
should have access to needed medication and support, should be signed up for
health coverage if possible and should get help planning their release to ensure
they get back on track.
● NAMI believes that by partnering with criminal justice leaders, county and state
leaders and mental health professionals we can help people with mental illness
get the support and services they need to stay out of jail.
● In 44 states, a jail or prison holds more mentally ill individuals than the largest
remaining state psychiatric hospital; in every county in the United States with
both a county jail and a county psychiatric facility, more seriously mentally ill
individuals are incarcerated than hospitalized. A 2004–2005 survey found there
were “more than three times more seriously mentally ill persons in jails and
prisons than in hospitals.”
● In 2014, there were 744,600 inmates in county and city jails in the United States.
If 20% of these individuals had a serious mental illness, jail inmates with severe
psychiatric disease in US jails numbered approximately 149,000 that year. The
number has grown since then.
 ● In 2014, there were 1,561,500 inmates in state prisons. If 15% of them had a
serious mental illness, state prison inmates with severe psychiatric disease
numbered approximately 234,200 that year. The number has grown since then.
● Combining the estimated populations of jail and state prison inmates with serious
mental illness produces an estimated population of 383,200 affected inmates.
Since there are only approximately 38,000 individuals with serious mental illness
remaining in state mental hospitals, this means 10 times more individuals with
serious mental illness are in jails and state prisons than in the remaining state
mental hospitals.
●

Incarcerating mentally ill inmates is costly.

Mentally ill inmates cost more than other prisoners for a variety of reasons, including
increased staffing needs. In Broward County, Florida in 2007, it cost $80 a day to house
a regular inmate but $130 a day for an inmate with mental illness. In Texas prisons in
2003, a study reports, “the average prisoner costs the state about $22,000 a year,” but
“prisoners with mental illness range from $30,000 to $50,000 a year.” Psychiatric
medications are a significant part of the increased costs. The cost of settling or losing
lawsuits stemming from the treatment of mentally ill inmates also can add to the costs.

https://www.psycom.net/how-to-reduce-mental-illness-in-prisons

● 25% of people arrested and in the criminal justice system have

serious mental illnesses
● More than 2 million people with serious mental illnesses are arrested
annually
● Over 550,000 people with serious mental illness are in jail on any
given day
● In 2017, incarcerating people with serious mental illness cost the US
Government $80 billion and the states $71 billion
● People with mental illness are 9 times more likely to be incarcerated
than hospitalized
● People with mental illness stay four to eight times longer in jail than
someone without a mental illness for the exact same charge
 ● 40% of people with serious mental illness will come into contact with
the criminal justice system at some point in their lives

https://www.ncchc.org/spotlight-on-the-standards-24-3

VIDEO

Group counseling should be available to patients who need such service. Groups could be
offered by on-site mental health staff, program staff, or community volunteers or mental health
agencies. Topics might address parenting, trauma, loss and grief, communication, stress
management, wellness for patients with a specific disorder or many other subjects. Many
patients can benefit from the support offered in groups; the realization that one is not alone can
be instrumental in treatment. Group therapy encourages emotional development, personal
responsibility and leadership skills.

https://nicic.gov/assign-library-item-package-accordion/mentally-ill-corrections-treatment

Psychotropic medication

Standards: N/A

Theme: Mental Illness in Prisons

Lesson topic: Inmates with Mental Illness

Objectives:

· Language:

o Students will be able to summarize vocally the different treatments and

resources that are available to inmates with mental illness.

· Content:

o Students will be able to distinguish the top three mental illness inmates
struggle with in prison.

Learning Strategies:

· Visual Learners

o PowerPoint

· Auditory Learners

o Video

· Kinesthetic Learners

o Engaging activity

o Give them 7 choices of the top mental illnesses in prison, must choose
top 3, then match 3 points that correlate with each.

· Chunk and Chew

o Every 8-10 minutes we allow the students 2 minutes to process the

information they just learned. They will discuss this with peers.

o How it helps students

· Stand Up/Sit Down

 o As an assessment, we will tell the students a variety of statements.
They will stand up if the statement is true and sit if its false. If it is false,
they must be able to correct it.

o How it helps students

● This will help the students to be engaged in the lesson and

the material they are learning. They will also be able to self
assess how much of the information they are actually
retaining.

· KWHL

o What we know, what we want to learn, how can we learn it, what we
learned.

● Begin by having students write down and discuss what they already
know and also what they want to learn. Then, as the presentation
goes on, the students will learn more information. At the end of the
lesson, they will be able to reflect on what they have learned.

o This activity also allows students to self-assess what they have learned.

Key Vocabulary:

· Schizophrenia

o Serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.

Individuals with this condition can suffer from hallucinations, delusions,
and extremely disordered thinking that impairs their daily functioning.

· Bipolar (4 levels)

● A mental condition marked by alternating periods of elation and

depression.

o Bipolar 1- or “manic depression”, one manic episode in his or her life,

most people who suffer from this also suffer from episodes of depression
 o Bipolar 2- characterized by cycles of depressive episodes followed by
hypomanic periods. Hypomania is a period of mood and behavior that is
elevated above normal behavior.

o Mixed Features

o Cyclothymic disorder- mood disorder that causes emotional highs and

lows, aren’t as extreme as those in people with bipolar disorders. People
with cyclothymia can typically function in daily life, though it may be
difficult.

● Depression
○ Feelings of severe despondency and dejection
○ Loss of interest
○ Causes can from from biological, psychological, and social sources of
distress
○ Can cause a change in brain function, including altered activity or certain
neural circuits in the brain.

Materials:

● Powerpoint
● KWL
● Video
● Kahoot

Motivation (building background):

· Teacher can ask the students if they know anyone who has been incarcerated.

· Teacher can ask the students if they know anyone who suffers from a mental illness.

· Video clip about a person in prison with mental illness.

Presentation (language and content objectives, comprehensible input, strategies,

interaction, feedback:
 ● Video
● Powerpoint
● KWL Chart

Practice (meaningful activities, interaction, strategies, practices and application,

feedback)

● Stand Up/Sit Down Activity

● Kinesthetic Activity

Review and Assessment (review objectives and vocabulary, assess learning):

● Formative Assessment during Stand Up/Sit Down Activity

● KWL Chart
● Kinesthetic Activity
● Kahoot at the end of lesson

Extension:

● If there is extra time at the end of the lesson, students can look up additional
facts that interest them about inmates in prison. They will be able to discuss their
facts with each other.