Mental illness in jail - Research Paper Example

The atmosphere in jails is unpleasant to all humans. It should be noted that people always like to lead a free life as much as possible. Barriers or restrictions in leading a free life may cause psychological trauma to all humans. Jails impose lots of restrictions and barriers upon the inmates and hence the mental health of jail inhabitants is poor compared to that of the normal people. This paper briefly analyses the reasons of mental illness in jails. Reasons of mental illness in jails The hope for leading a normal life after the release from jails is minimal for many of the inhabitants.

It should be noted that prisoners never get opportunities to engage in sexual activities. Many studies have proved beyond doubt that sexual activities are necessary for the human to lead a normal life. The failure to do so may create psychological problems among prisoners. Moreover, plenty of the prisoners are of the view that it is difficult for them to get the acceptance from the society and the family members once they released from the jails. Such negative thoughts often cause mental trauma to the prisoners.

The authorities on the other hand keep a negative view towards the health needs of the prisoners. “According to Human Rights Watch, deficient mental health services in prisons and jails leave prisoners under-treated or not treated at all. Prisoners with mental health problems face a shortage of qualified staff, lack of facilities and prison rules that interfere with treatment” (U.S.: Number of Mentally Ill in Prisons Quadrupled, 2006). Healthcare sector in America and Europe is facing severe shortage of qualified professionals.

In fact majority of the professionals working in this sector in these countries are from overseas countries. Since prisoners are treated differently everywhere in the world, there health needs are often addressed without much sympathy or importance by the authorities. Prisoners are considered as unwanted or antisocial elements in many of the societies. Such beliefs and apprehensions about prisoners often prevent the authorities from spending too much for the healthcare needs of the jail inhabitants.

As a result of that, prisoners get no treatment or less treatment when they develop psychological problems. Failure to get proper treatment in time, may force prisoners to engage in violent activities and behaviors. Such violent activities may bring punishments from jail authorities. “People who suffer from mental illness need mental health interventions, not punishment for behavior that may be motivated by delusions and hallucinations” (U.S.: Number of Mentally Ill in Prisons Quadrupled, 2006).

Unlike normal people, prisoners are not getting any sympathy from jail authorities even if they develop mental problems. The general view about such mental illness among prisoners is that they deserve it. Such beliefs and views prevent jail authorities in taking sincere efforts to provide adequate healthcare services to the prisoners. “According to Human Rights Watch, the staggering rate or incarceration of the mentally ill is a consequence of under-funded, disorganized and fragmented community mental health services” (U.S.: Number of Mentally Ill in Prisons Quadrupled, 2006).

“Once in jail, people with mental illnesses tend to stay longer, and are less likely to be placed