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Examples Of Inhumane Conditions In Prisons

1115 Words5 Pages

Audrey Rutz
English 102-400
Professor Jakubovic
1 February 2023
Essay 1 Many people have been, have a family member, or know someone who has been to jail or prison. According to the article Equal Justice Initiative, “millions of Americans are incarcerated in overcrowded, violent, and inhumane jails and prisons that do not provide treatment, education, or rehabilitation”(“Prison Conditions”). Not only in America but around the world incarcerated people are living in inhumane conditions while serving their time in prison. While it is crucial to provide punishment against people who have committed crimes, people who are incarcerated should be given a stable and healthy environment to have the opportunity to develop and learn to be better before …show more content…

According to The National Alliance of Mental Illness, “In fact, more than 50% of individuals who were taking medication for mental health conditions at admission did not continue to receive their medication once in prison”(“Mental Health Treatment While Incarcerated). This quote reveals that many people who were originally taking medication for their mental illness were not given their medication while serving time. Without medication for their mental illness, they can become worse and have less of an opportunity to redeem themselves after being released. According to The National Alliance of Mental Illness, “About three in five people (63%) with a history of mental illness do not receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prisons”(“Mental Health Treatment While Incarcerated). Without receiving proper assistance for their mental health, how are they going to be able to develop as people and learn to be better prior to being released? Seeing that there are many people with mental illness who are incarcerated prisons should provide better care and rehabilitative services to help these people rather than punish …show more content…

Inmates with mental health issues are not getting the help they need in order to sustain a happy and non-illicit lifestyle. Those who are incarcerated need a healthy environment to learn from their mistakes and develop not just for their own benefit but to benefit us as a society. We also need to strive for better mental health treatments and support systems. One way we can help is to make this issue known and support organizations that work to change these harsh conditions and talk to a higher authority to suggest a change. Another way we can help is to volunteer at some of these jails or prisons and get involved to support and offer your help.

Work Cited
“Prison Conditions.” Equal Justice Initiative, 10 Mar. 2021, https://eji.org/issues/prison-conditions/.
Jarrett, Christian. “How Prison Changes People.” BBC Future, BBC, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180430-the-unexpected-ways-prison-time-changes-people.
Wang, Leah. “Prisons Are a Daily Environmental Injustice.” Prison Policy Initiative, 2022, https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2022/04/20/environmental_injustice/.
Butler, Paul, et al. “How Atrocious Prisons Conditions Make Us All Less Safe.” Brennan Center for Justice, 23 Aug. 2021, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-atrocious-prisons-conditions-make-us-all-less-safe.
“Mental Health Treatment While Incarcerated.” NAMI, 2022,

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