Second Chance Act Improves Mental Health Services For Prisoners, USA

[allen green]

The American Psychiatric Association applauds recent Congressional efforts led by Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., to improve treatment for the large number of people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who are currently incarcerated in U.S. jails and prisons.

The U.S. Senate passed the Second Chance Act (H.R. 1593) this week by unanimous consent. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislation last fall. The legislation would provide transitional assistance to ex-offenders in an effort to reduce a return to alcohol abuse. Additionally, the legislation would extend and provide a full continuum of care for treatment of substance use disorders and improve mental health screening and treatment.

[jurplesman]

A a retired Probation and Parole Officer I am aware that about 75 per cent of inmates have addiction as a comorbid condition to their offences. If we add to this, the number of prisoners who have a mental illness for which they are in jail now, we may come to the conclusion that the vast majority of prisoners are mentally ill. Society does not appear to have treatment. In fact it appears that jails have replaced the old "Asylums for the Insane": out of sight, out of mind.

One reason for the high recidivism (treatment failures) among prisoners is explained in:

The Forgotten Factor in the Crime Debate

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by jurplesman

A a retired Probation and Parole Officer I am aware that about 75 per cent of inmates have addiction as a comorbid condition to their offences.

Hi jurplesman,

What is your opinion on decriminalization (in the US) of posession and use of drugs?


Thanks,