Is Prison the Right Placement for one who has a Mental Health Issue who has Commited a Crime?

by Vikki Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer in Montreal, Canada

I have to say I was a bit surprised when I came across this article in the Huffington Post-Canada: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dyanoosh-youssefi/mentally-ill_b_2206105.html .

I am sure I am not the only one that feels that prison is NOT the best place for one who has a mental illness or mental health issue? Were they clearly incompetent when the crime was committed? Were they off their medications or non-compliant? Is the individual followed by a mental health professional? A psychologist? Psychiatrist? Social worker? Is there family involved? What is the story of the individual?

Will the individual who committed a crime be followed by the appropriate mental health professional while in prison? Is a Mental Health Institution a better solution where the individual receives proper professional assistance, medication and rehabilitation?

I cannot answer these questions, but I am sure there are many who have opinions whether mental health professional, general public, government, current prisoners who have a diagnosed mental health disorder, prison staff, etc.