Mental illnesses
People with mental illnesses display disruptive behaviors. The police then respond to such situations by arresting these fellows instead of directing them to suitable treatment centers. These individuals are then detained and convicted in prisons. However, these prisons are not well equipped in terms of overpopulation and inadequate mental health facilities to accommodate mentally ill prisoners (Relojo-Howell, 2020). As a result, most mentally ill prisoners find it hard to adjust to the prison environment. Therefore, they engage in violent actions which see them sent to solitary confinement. Research shows that placing prisoners with pre-existing mental illnesses in solitary confinement worsens their symptoms. This explains why mentally ill individuals do not belong in prison.
According to Yoon, Slade and Fazel, (2017), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is appropriate for prisoners with mental health illnesses. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy treatment that takes a practical approach to solve problems. The therapy aims at changing thinking and behavior patterns that cause difficulties and hence change the way people feel. This procedure works best for anxiety and depression, among other illnesses.
Of course, there is a better way to handle the treatment of the mentally ill. First, these individuals should be diverted to mental health systems instead of prisons (World Health Organization, 2005). Prisons are not the right places for people in need of mental treatment because the criminal justice system maintains restriction and punishment rather than care and treatment. Secondly, prisons should provide access to suitable mental health treatment and care for prisoners in need. Right to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and if necessary, referral of individuals with mental disorders should be an integral part of the prisons general health services. Training of the prison staff on how to handle mentally ill prisoners is also necessary. For instance, if a mentally ill person becomes violent over something like food, the prison staff should not attack violently to avoid causing more harm. Instead, they should learn how to calm such a prisoner down. The staff should also learn not to rush the mentally ill prisoner to a solitary cell. Instead, they should be directed to a psychiatrist for help, care and treatment.