This looks like a very good forum so far. Ok, I'll open it up.

I live in Minnesota. Minnesota is very strong on their mental health system, and is well known for the humane treatment given to persons incarcerated in their prison system.

I am rather curious about the contrast between a secure facility such as the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, and a maximum security prison. My studies so far has indicated that persons in the Minnesota Security Hospital have FAR more freedom then they ever would have in a maximum-security prison. They can have rutien visits to relatives, have access to telephones and entertainment, and have access to therapy and vocational programs. Mind you, these persons were considered as among the most dangerous in the state when they were admitted.

And, I have even watch a television documentary about how some prisoners at Minnesota's Oak Park Heights prison (the most secure prison in the state, and most restrictive) are treated in such a way that they would NEVER desire to go to a prison in any other state. In fact, there has never been an attempt to escape from Oak Park Heights Prison because prisoners there fear being transferred out of Minnesota! Of course, all of this was taking in from a documentary on the Discovery Channel. More light on this would be helpful for us in the general public.

Back to mental health issues. Human Services and Department of Corrections in Minnesota are working with each other to seek out those who could benefit from treatment at a secured mental health facility rather then being incarcerated. When a person in prison is found to have a severe and persistent mental illness, they can be transferred to the custody of Human Services where they could benefit from therapies and medications that can help them function better and eventually be allowed back into the community. I don't know whether this takes place during, or after their incarceration. Anyway, people in Minnesota's prison system are evaluated for psychiatric disabilities once they enter the correctional system, and are (from my knowledge anyway), pretty much sepparate from the general population. They are then evaluated, and given treatments for their illness in preparation for their eventual release.

I know this is rather lengthy, and I appologise. None the less, I would like to see others comment on this and how those with a mental illness can be kept out of the correctional system and actually recieve meaningful help for which they would be thankful, and which would allow them to experience eventual success in their communities.

MrCoffee

Welcome to the party... (You have a PM). In KY, I can tell you, a person waiting trial on a charge is sent for evaluation to KCPC a co-ed psych center within a nest of 3 men's facilities. 30 day max evaluation, then back to county jail to await a moment of temporary sanity --long enough to enter a knowing,voluntary plea to something.. Then they get their time.

That psych evaluation is the start of their routine 'health' assessment when entering DOC to start a sentence. Men only, always go to the Roderer Assessment Center (fishtank) as their first stop in the system (it is one of the 3 in that nest.) Women only go to the women's prison where they have ACIO assess/Classification/Indoctrination/Orientation area, which is within the main housing unit.

Any medication/evaluation/psychiatric need is tended to within reason, within the confines of the Tank/ACIO setting. They are not segregated for medical reasons, they are within the Tank/ACIO population. Once classified, they will be assigned to the appropriate housing/work assignment/custody level and deal with general population.

ONLY if you are foaming at the mouth or a risk to themselves, the staff, or other inmates will they be segregated. FIRST stop on that tour is Administrative SEG in and as necessary a 4 point pin down to await transport to KCPC where they will remain until they are either stable or serve out.

Plenty of bipolars, manics, depressed souls, and every fruit, nut and flake IN the bowl mix it up in general population.

THAT is the deal in KY if you are a psych case tossed into the CJ system.

Is MN really good for mental health services? I just found out that my "autistic" brother did something bad enough that the FBI got involved and now he's at the Federal Medical Center (prision) in Rochester. I read that sometimes they refer inmates to the Mayo Clinic. What's their rep?

MrCoffee, I think this is how the incarcerated mentally ill should be handled everywhere if they indeed are mentally ill. At least they maybe treated with the proper medication for their particular illness and not just given any type of drug to shut them up.

Cheri: Rest assured. The Mayo Clinic is considered as among the best places in the nation for mental health treatment. I think the Rochester facility is minimum security. Otherwise, he wouldn't be allowed to go to a hospital outside the compound.

MrCoffee

God i wish my son was in MN he is in Nebraska Tecumseh State Correctional Center. And even with his 5 mental disorders he is not recieving mental health. He is in immediate sagregation. bad stuff going on on there and no one has been able to correct it.
Donna

I think you can try one web site: www.nami.org of which I am a member of. Just because a person is in prison, doesn't mean that they shouldn't be able to have some sort of treatment. I do, of course, acknowledge that there needs to be a place within the corrections system where someone can get treatment for their disorders.

What really surprises me, though, is the case with Cheri's brother, who could be transferred to the Mayo Clinic. I am almost willing to bet that he has to be a model inmate to have that privilege.

MrCoffee

My brother did not get transferred to the Mayo Clinic. I was thinking that the Mayo Clinic could be usefull w/diagnosing his developmental disability if necessary. I got to talk with him the other day and it was WONDERFUL!! He sounded just like he was at home, and not in a Federal prison at all. Sometimes having a D.D. can be a blessing. He's very lucky to have received only 1 year with 2 yars probation for what he did. He's only been there 1 month and sounds like he just finished orientation.

If I contact NAMI in Rochester, would they be able to hook him up w/an advocate? I'm in Kentucky & our parents are in New Hampshire/Rhode Island. I would feel much better if he had someone who could visit him and make sure that he's not being abused.

He hasn't had any kind of treatment (therapy, meds., social services, etc.) since he left the special ed system almost 20 years ago. Can he be forced to take meds? Can he refuse to take psych evals? He doesn't have a clue that he's not "normal" and has fought tooth & nail whenever anyone has attempted to get him help. I know if you do that in some institutions (NJ state hospital comes to my mind-scarry place to VISIT), they really put the meds to them, making them almost non-functioning. But that's another story.

Also, does the ADA cover inmates?

From what I've learned about NAMI, they don't believe in over medication. I'm not sure about forced medication, though. That would most likely only be used in a life and death situation. I am sure that if you were a guardian, it could be possible to force treatment. Because in those cases, the person would be under a similar category as that of a minor. Your best option is to let him decide for himself, and let him live with the consequences.

Most likely, the Bureau of Prisons would take precidence over your son's medical situaion, and you aren't likely to have much say over it. Whether he has a developmental disability or not, doesn't matter to the corrections system. I think getting a NAMI advocate for him would make sense, though, to make sure he doesn't get abused. It could backfire though, and the prison could retaliate without any of your knowledge or input. Be careful what you do!

Remember one thing. Your son is a convicted criminal, and as such does not have any rights. The fact that he is in Rochester makes him extremely fortunate. They could have placed him at another facility that is a lot less compassionate.

MrCoffee