Jails and Prisons Becoming the New Mental Hospitals

[Jayson]

It seems like they are the new mental hospitals, and it's a very sad situation. How did it get like this? What can be done to change things?

 

[Teri W]

There is no need to change anything. Jails are called correctional centres for a reason. It should be a place where people get rehabilitated. That's why mental health programs should be integrated into the jails' correctional program to stimulate a reshaping of the minds of the inmates.

 

[Jayson]

There is no need to change anything. Jails are called correctional centres for a reason. It should be a place where people get rehabilitated. That's why mental health programs should be integrated into the jails' correctional program to stimulate a reshaping of the minds of the inmates.

There's no argument here on that, but I was just pointing stuff out, but some could say that many shouldn't be treated in jail, but rather another institution.

 

[Shree]

Yes, it really does feel like places like prisons, shelters, and even streets have become the new mental hospitals, and it is heartbreaking. This shift happened over decades, especially after the underfunding and closure of many psychiatric facilities without building enough community support systems.

What can be done? We need to prioritize accessible mental health care, early, compassionate, and consistent. That means funding community-based services, training professionals, supporting families, and addressing stigma. Change starts with treating mental health not as a crisis to contain, but as care people deserve, just like physical health.

 

[Brem]

Jails and Prisons actually could to better when it comes to mental illness. I'm sure there are many prisoners who have undiagnosed conditions, and they probably are not getting the help they need in jail. Prisons don't usually promote good health for their prisoners, but if they did, I think people will be better rehabilitated after their prison sentence. Just because someone is in prison, shouldn't mean they should be tossed away and forgotten. Prison is supposed to teach you right and wrong, it's supposed to rehabilitate you.

idk, I just think our prison systems could be better to the prisoners. I'm not saying prisoners should get a ton of freedoms, but I think it's good to help them recover from their conditions if they are there. Maybe those conditions caused their crimes. And many prisoners get out, so wouldn't we want them rehabilitated before release?