Post-Research Script

Kristen Stejskal

Post-Research Script  

      When I chose my topic of my rhetorical project to be “prison reform”, although I knew that encompassed a broad spectrum, I was not fully aware how broad that spectrum would actually prove to be. Although I have a general idea of several aspects of prison reform that I will be covering in my project, there are still many topics that, in my opinion, have great important in the debate over what aspects of prisons should be reformed and how exactly they should be implemented. I obviously would ideally be able to cover all of these aspects, there is just not enough time for me to fully be able to cover these topics in depth like I would need to in order to truly entwine them in an effective manner. I therefore as I go along with my project will have to decipher which topics are essential to be addressed, rather than which topics might further my claim but are not central to the claim itself of a need for prison reform.

     With that being said, there are two topics that I will absolutely cover. These topics are central to my whole perspective of prison reform. The first facet of reform is the need for measures to correct mental health problems. This stems from the epidemic numbers of inmates who are dealing with mental health problems while incarcerated. With so many individuals committing crimes while being undiagnosed and/or treated for an existing mental health problem, the clear first step is to eliminate the mental health problem before trying to rehabilitate the criminal. There are 3 major aspects of addressing mental health problems: 1) creating methods of diagnosing and treating previously undiagnosed mental illness before the individual gets into legal trouble, 2) if the individual gets into legal trouble before the problem is diagnosed, treating the mental illness while the individual is incarcerated, and 3) creating a system for the individual to continue to get help after release. Often times with lack of healthcare and resources after the individual is released, there will be no more treatment and therefore, we begin to see the mental health problem as a vicious cycle. These three aspects are a tripod, in order to be effective, they all rely on the effectiveness of the other to be effective themselves.

     The second facet of prison reform, education and technical training, is also an essential part of prison reform. The majority of incarcerated individuals have little education and little to no job training or technical abilities. Therefore, the easiest way for these individuals to survive is to participate in illegal activities, which have probably landed them in the prison system in the first place. Therefore, in order to break the vicious cycle of release and return, we must provide them with a means of being successful with in the community. This does not have to mean giving every inmate the opportunity to earn a doctorate, rather, something as simple as teaching an inmate how to cut hair or prepare food is often giving her/him a second chance at life. The easiest way to do this is to give inmates jobs within the prison. Not only will this occupy the inmates time, therefore reducing time for boredom and subsequently an increase in illegal activities within the prison, but it will ensure that the inmates get the necessary technical training and will even help the prison run more smoothly. Without education, upon release inmates will have little choice but to revert back to their old lifestyles for survival.

     This is a topic that is very close to my heart. My dad has spent many years of his life in prison and I firsthand have seen the vicious cycle that prison can induce. My dad’s choice, actions and therefore consequences are his own responsibility, yet at the same time; he for a number of years did not have many opportunities to better himself. We all make mistakes, and at some point or another have been given a second chance. Criminals should be no exceptions. By helping them better themselves, we better our communities, and there should be no greater goal for prison.

Mini Argument #3: Education and Vocational Training

With a clearly established need for change in our prison system, the focus turns to what can be done to make effective and efficient changes to better the results obtained by inmates during their incarceration. Although Mini Argument 1: Time for Change briefly examined areas of the prison system that could benefit from change and described vague potential methods for that change, in this Min- Argument we will examine two specific areas in need of improvement within the prison system and give examples of two programs that are currently in effect in various prisons around the United States that have demonstrated effectiveness.

     Education is obviously closely correlated to success in our nation. Typically, those who are more educated go on to get better paying jobs, live in more affluent neighborhoods and have children who will also become educated and employed in well paying professions. Therefore, to not only break the prison cycle for current inmates, but future generations as well, an education is a key aspect to success outside of prison. According to Educationbug, inmates who receive education in prison are less likely to return to prison after release. Furthermore, prison is the perfect second chance to educate someone who has not had an opportunity to receive education or has passed up the opportunity for education. Whether education means to receiving a G.E.D or a doctorate degree, education can always be further.

     Not only will education assist the inmates, but it will also help prisons reduce costly disciplinary issues.  As human beings, we are ALL intelligent creature in need of mental stimulations. If we are not provided with mental stimulation, we are forced to create it for ourselves, and prison is no exception. With prisoners often times being locked up 23 hours a day, it is without saying that prison life can be monotonous at best. Born from boredom, disciplinary issues that the prison system face includes the making of banned alcohol and weapons and the organization of prison gangs. Education will increase mental stimulation and will decrease unoccupied time, therefore reducing the discipline problems that will require attention from prison staff.

   A wonderful example of the potentially positive effects of education on prison inmates is the “Shakespeare in the SHU” program that is implemented at Wabash Valley Correctional Institute in Indiana (Leon Benson). The “SHU”, Secure Housing Unit, houses the most dangerous criminals at the prison. Indiana State University has paired with Wabash Valley to bring the SHU an educational program, “Shakespeare in the SHU” that not only educates prisoners about Shakespeare, but utilizes it to help inmates relate Shakespeare to their own lives as a reflection tool. As inmate Leon Benson explains, in his mind, Macbeth creates a parallel between Shakespeare’s literature and the life he has lead. Clearly, “Shakespeare in the SHU” is an example of how effective education can be for even the most hardened criminals.

     The other critical aspect of successful change within our prison system is job and vocational training. In order for the inmate to have a shot at success after release, he or she must have some skill to fall back on. Many inmates have landed in jail in the first place because they do not have the skills to hold a legitimate job, and therefore in order to survive must rely on “hustling”- including ganglife, drug trafficking and prostitution. Like education, prison is the perfect time for job training. Prisons, being a miniature, mostly self-sufficient community, are a perfect opportunity for a variety of vocational training. Prisons need cooks, custodians, barbers, and so many other professions in order to run efficiently, with many of these positions being held by inmates. To provide inmates with a job inside prison is to provide inmates with a future outside jail.

     A local example of unconventional vocational training is the training of animal shelter dogs by inmates across the state of Colorado. In state wide prisons, inmates spend months training rescue dogs from the local animal shelters before adopting them out to loving homes (K-9 Program). Not only does the occupy inmates’ time and provide them with skills, but it also help to place animals that otherwise might not ever find homes. The dogs go to their new homes fully trained, and are allowed to go back to the prison to be boarded for free if ever needed and have periodic sessions to refresh the dogs’ skills. Many of the inmates will go on after prison to use these skills to become certified dog trainers. This program has been a tremendous success across the state of Colorado, for inmates and animals alike.

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      Although there are many shortcomings to our current prison system, improving only two aspects of the system will cause a huge difference in the lives of many inmates and will therefore help our prison system evolve into more efficient and effective institution. Providing inmates with either education or vocational training or both will better not just these criminal’s lives, but also the lives of offspring and future generations to come. Educational opportunities and vocational programs already implemented in prisons around the country have proven to be effective, so it is time to take the next step and make them a staple in every prison, reaching out to every inmate.

References

K-9 Program Gives Inmates Skills Training Dogs. Dir. John Bowman. FOX 31 News KVDR Denver, 2011. News Program. Www.kdvr.com. Fox 31 News, 9 June 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.

Leon Benson in the SHU Wabash Valley. Perf. Leon Benson. Youtube.com. MSNBC Lockup, 08 May 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.

Schools, Types Of. “Prison Education.” Education Bug – Articles, Public & Private Schools, Colleges. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.educationbug.org/&gt;.

Mini Argument 2: Mental Health in the Prison System

  

    

     In the 1950’s and 1960’s the number of individuals in “insane asylums” dramatically decreased due to a new mindset of humane treatment and societal integration of those with mental illnesses. However, after this deinstitutionalization of asylums, what became of individuals who otherwise would have been committed to mental institutions? Instead of getting effective and routine treatment for their illnesses that might enable them to live productive lives, many of these individuals have ended up in a different institution- the United States Prison System.

     The US Prison System has in essence become a dumping ground for individuals with mental health problems that cannot afford/do not have access to beneficial treatment. These individuals are homeless are often booked on petty charges just to get them off the streets and out of the way of the public. Those who have committed more serious crimes also suffer from mental health problems that contributed to the crimes that have landed them in the justice system.  According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, about 2 million with “serious mental health issues” are booked into local jails every year with many eventually receiving prison sentences. Once in prison, the noise and chaos experienced by inmates daily can trigger psychosis and psychotic episodes in inmates with mental disturbances. These episodes all too often end in violence- either directed at staff, other inmates or even threatening the inmate’s own well-being. About 70,000 inmates in prisons will experience psychosis daily (NAMI). Violent and psychotic episodes result in “write-ups” which lead to time in “the hole”. The hole is a form of punishment for prisoners who misbehavior or fail to follow prison standards for behavior in which the individual often spends 23 hours/day locked in his/her cell. Spending time in the hole often leads to extended sentences for inmates who otherwise would be released and is not only mental demeaning and can worsen mental health issues, but it is extremely expensive and is a large contributor to the problem of prisons being overcrowded and understaffed.

     Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) individuals with mental health issues are undertreated in prisons due to wasted resources and stigma attached to mental illness. Proportionately, prisons employ too few psychiatrists that can diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication. Even if prisoners are prescribed medication, the stigma attached to having a mental illness will discourage prisoners from regularly taking their medication. Although prisons will often require that prisoners take their medication, as soon as prisoners are released, many choose not to take the medication and their conditions will regress. Even worse, if the prisoner does want to take his/her medication, after release from prison, most will not have access to health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security that will allow them access to this critical medication (NAMI). This creates a habitual, vicious cycle that perpetuates repeat offenders to be rotated in and out of the prison system, costing the public millions in tax dollars.

     As discussed in Mini Argument 1: It’s Time For Change, effectiveness and efficiency of the prison system should be  a great concern of the American public because it is our tax dollars that are funding the system and our citizens that are being released back into our communities. These flaws and shortcomings of our justice system are costing us financially, but even worse, cheating our own citizens from leading healthy, productive lives.

     There are several steps that need to be taken in order to essentially deinstitutionalize our prisons. According to WHO, these steps center around detection, proper treatment and prevention. Detection is the first step that will dramatically reduce the number of prisoners with mental health issues. At intake, before the individual ever reaches trial or sentencing and is admitted into the prison system, a thorough mental health screening of the individual needs to be completed. If the individual is found to be dealing with a mental illness, that person needs to be diverted away from the criminal justice system into the mental health system. The mental health system (meaning psychiatric care) is much better equipped to treat these individuals and will overall save a tremendous amount of money. In fact, a study of two programs (in Illinois and New York) demonstrated that up to $40,000 in tax dollars can be saved by diverting an individual properly into the mental health system (NAMI). Early detection of mental illness is crucial to properly placing individuals who need treatment in a facility that will be most beneficial to that individual as well as to the community.

     Another step of deinstitutionalizing prisons is proper treatment. Individuals with mental illness that must serve time in prison due to the severity of the crime committed must receive the appropriate medication for his/her mental illness. Obviously this will take the corporation of the inmate and there it is necessary that we de-stigmatize mental illness within prisons as well as within the general public. This will be a fairly lengthly process that will take the dedication of all professionals involved, but this must occur to prevent inmates from feeling embarrassed and ashamed of having a mental health problem. If an inmate had a broken leg, it would be clear that he/she was suffering and needed treatment for that medical issue. Although we cannot see it, individuals with mental health issues are suffering just as much, if not more- so why would they be stigmatized for getting treatment? A portion of the video “Trapped: Mental Illness in America’s Prisons” demonstrate the pain that inmates with mental illnesses experience while incarcerated. Providing the supportive environment for treatment, as well as the appropriate treatment itself (be it medication, counseling or otherwise) will equip inmates with the tools to be successful within prison and out in the “real world”.

      The final, but possibly the most crucial step, in correcting the mental health issues within prison is prevention. There   are many facets of prevention but the two could potentially be most effective are prevention in youth and prevention of reoccurrence in individuals released from prison. According to Dr. Lee Rosen, a child physiatrist at Colorado State University, mental health issues are prevalent in children and youth. Approximately one in eight children has a mental illness that “significantly impairs functioning” but yet children account for less than 25% of the money for mental illnesses (Rosen). Furthermore, children with a low socioeconomic status (SES) are at a higher risk for not being treated properly for mental illness due to lack of insurance and money for treatment. Children with mental health problems become adults with mental health problems. Our society’s responsibility is to get children with mental illness early- daycare providers, school teachers, sports coaches and after school activity leaders need to take on the responsibility of monitoring children’s mental  health problems and referring them to treatment when necessary.

     The second facet of prevention is inmates with mental illness that have been released for prison. These individuals need to be given access to medication- through Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, etc. Furthermore, medication intake needs to be monitored, potentially by parole officers, similar to parole officers monitoring sobriety in a paroled inmate. This medication needs to be affordable- if not free until the individual obtains a job and therefore an income and hopefully insurance! Although this seems like it would be expensive, if could be theoretically a short term investment with long term benefits. Getting the individual on a regular routine of medication will potentially eliminate another crime and therefore prison sentence for that inmate. In the long run, providing an inmate with medication will save society money and save these individuals years of their lives that otherwise would have been wasted away in a 8 x 12 foot cell.

      The problems associated with our prison system are extensive and many in number, however; the care of individuals with mental illnesses is a problem that can be addressed and prevented with relative ease. It will take a commitment from prisoners and professional alike, but with this commitment will come solutions and benefits that will make these changes not only successful at reducing the number of people incarcerated, but will bring about wonderful improvement in countless human lives.

Works Cited

“Mental Health and Prisons.” World Health Organization (WHO). Web. 26 Feb. 2011. http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/mh_in_prison.pdf.

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness – Mental Health Support, Education and Advocacy. Web. 07 Feb. 2011. http://www.nami.org/.

Rosen, Lee. “Children and Mental Health.” Child Exceptionality and Psychopathology. Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Feb. 2011. Lecture.

Trapped: Mental Illness in America’s Prisons. Perf. Kentucky State Reformary. Ackerman Gruber Images, 2009. DVD.

Mini-Argument 1: It’s time for change.

     Although the United States generally has a negative stigma attached to prison and those who reside there, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the prison system in America has 3 major purposes: punishment/retribution, personal reform and deterrence from committing another crime after the prisoner is released. These are all very noble ambitions that appear to not only focus on improving our greater communities, but improving the prisoner individually and bettering that individual’s life. Clearly, theoretically the prison system benefits both the community and the criminal.

     With that being said, although not much can be negatively said about the theoretical and fundamental objectives of the prison system, there are quite a lot of problems with the actual functioning prison system that need to be addressed urgently. We are each affected directly by the issue of an ill-functioning prison system because it is our tax dollars that fund the system (according to Heartsandminds.org, approximately $32 billion of our tax dollars every year!) and these are our communities that inmates are being released into at the end of their sentences. It is our responsibility as American citizens to ensure that our prison system is as effective and efficient as possible and therefore it is our responsibility to discuss the troubled aspects of our current system and refine it. First, let’s look at the functions of the prison as suggested by the Encyclopedia Britannica.

     The first role of the prison system is as punishment and retribution for crimes committed by individuals refered to as ciminals (Encyclopedia Britannica). There is relatively little argument about the fact that something must be done with individuals who commit crimes. The United States would obviously have an anarchist society if there was no punishment for crime. However, the prison system’s current method of punishment is increasing harsh discipline as a means of creating remorse and transformation in an individual. However,spending 23 hours a day in a 6 x 8 foot cell with only 2 showers a week and 10 minutes on the phone per month, as in the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois (Faults)  create remorse in an inmate. No, rather this treatment is going to teach contempt, retaliation and the need for avengence. It is necessary to determine where the cross the line between punishment and inhumane treatment stands. As Dave Hale, a former guard at Marion so eloquently stated, “I seen them carry one inmate down the corridor with a guard on each leg and one on each arm. The assistant warden comes down the hall and grabs the inmate’s testicles and starts yanking on them, saying, ‘Who’s doing it to who now, boy?’”(Faults) This treatment is not only inhumane, this is torture and certainly not acceptable punishment even for the most hardened of criminals.

     The second focus of the US prison system is to create personal reform in all inmates spending time in US penitentiaries (Encyclopedia Britannica). Many prisons do have programs that are available for the betterment of the inmates ranging from counseling, to technical training to GED programs. However, in many cases, being part of this program is considered an earned privilege. Although this may seem like a good incentive to get prisoners to behave and comply, in actuality, when the prisoner makes a mistake and his or her hard earned privileges are suddenly revoked, there is very little incentive to go through the motions of getting all of those privileges back. Programs such as these should be learning experiences for the prisoner, building on any mistakes that potentially could be made. When teaching a child to ride a bicycle, the child is not expected to master the skill on the first try. Likewise, a prisoner learning for the first time how to be a functioning member of society will not be perfect, and those mistakes need to be embraced as potentially for further learning. Although the supportive programs that many prisons currently have to offer are headed in the right direction, there is definite room for evolution and improvement here as well.

     The 3rd major role of the prison system is deterrence from future crimes. This goal, in fact, might be the overarching ambition of the entire system. Prisoners would ideally do their time, learn their lessons and go on with their lives in a healthy, productive manner. However, this goal especially is not supported by the actions of penitentiaries. Inmates have support and available resources while incarceration, however, once they are released, for the most part that support vanishes completely. The only hope of continued support after prison life is either a halfway house of some sort or being assigned a parole officer (often though, even the parole officers are overstretched and don’t have the necessary time to devote to all of their parolees). Inmates are often released into an environment where they have no home, relatively no family or friends, no job skills, no money and no health insurance. How is this possibly setting the inmate up for success in the “real world”?

     The ineffectiveness of the deterrence methods in our prison system is quite obvious just by reviewing the return rate of prisoners back into the justice system. Within 3 years of release, 67.5% of former inmates are readmitted into the system on either a felony or “serious misdemeanor” charge (Faults). Furthermore, with an average mental health problem (psychiatric disorders) prevalence being 56% of inmates for state prisons and 45% in federal prisons (Fitzpatrick), many inmates are in dire need of corrective medication. Although (for the most part) medication is administered and closely monitored, once they are released with no health insurance, it is nearly impossible for them to continue with much needed medication even if they would like to. Clearly, this is a potential contributor to the high return rate into the US prison system.

     It is therefore essential that our communities and country make improvements and reforms to our prison system. There are two vital changes that need to occur to the system that will make to change the course of the lives of the inmates, and ultimately better our society. The first of these changes in individualized rehabilitation that directly addresses the inmate’s specific needs. Every prisoner is unique and therefore will need an individualized treatment as well as goals and objectives and follow ups (Fault). Some inmates might need anger management, others may need psychiatric medication, and still others might require vocational training or living skills. Individual problems cannot be solved until they are addressed as unique circumstances requiring individualized attention, rather than a cookie cutter solution.

     Secondly, the programs previously mentioned need to be implemented as an alternative to a prison sentence (Fault). Obviously the inmate will still be living in a prison environment, however,  instead of being locked up for 23+ hours/day in “the hole” (prison slang for solitary confinement), the individual needs to be spending that time focused on their objectives for self betterment. While some may say that this is not “punishment” enough, chances are the inmate will still be experiencing a situation that he or she would rather not be in- self-improvement can be hard, especially when there is a lot of improving of the self to be done. Furthermore,  these programs will benefit the community much more than just having an inmate literally wasting away years of his life in a 6 x 8 foot cell, just to be rereleased into a cold, unforgiving world.

     If the prisoner decides that he or she does not want to participate in the self-improvement courses, he or she will have the option to serve regular prison time. Some may still choose this route, but at least they will have the option for something more fulfilling.

     The biggest rebuttal in this proposed plan will undoubtedly be the cost factor involved. Obviously, staff and other resources necessary to implement this plan will cause a much greater cost (both financial and time) than just throwing someone in a prison cell to sit for months, even years of their life. However, considering the long term cost, re-admittance of inmates into the criminal justice system 67% of the time will be much more expensive than just allocating the correct funding and resources in the first place. According to Fault, the cost of housing one inmate for one year is $14,000 in taxes. Re-admitting prisoners over and over will obviously not be cost efficient in the long run as compared to one-time rehabilitation.

     Although this proposed theortical system is not without flaws, it is a major improvement in many areas over our current prison system. We must make it a priority within our society to make the reform of our prison system into a more efficient and effective institution and we will all reap the benefits.

Works Cited

“Faults of the American Prison System.” Associated Content from Yahoo! 19 Jan. 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2011.

Fitzpatrick, Michael J. “NAMI | Department of Justice Study: Mental Illness of Prison Inmates Worse Than Past     Estimates.” NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness – Mental Health Support, Education and Advocacy. Department of Justice, 6 Sept. 2006. Web. 10 Feb. 2011.

Fortunato, Manny, comp. “Prison Facts.” Hearts & Minds. Hearts & Minds – Information for Change.       Web. 10 Feb. 2011.

 “The purpose of imprisonment.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.        Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011.     Web. 10 Feb. 2011.