As the influx of mentally ill prisoners increase in federal penitentiaries, and prison’s staffing level remaining the same, inhumane treatment and dehumanizing practices of prisons are becoming more common and inescapable. In his article, “One of the Darkest Periods in the History of American Prisons,” Andrew Cohen elucidates how federal prisons are negatively developing over the years. By primary referencing to investigations in California and Florida, and allegations in Mississippi and Louisiana, Cohen is able demonstrate how ill-equipped, and reckless prisons have become in response to the needs of prisoners with mental illness. He even goes so far to compare today’s jails to “medieval places of unspeakable cruelty” ( ). In “One of the Darkest Periods in the History of American Prisons,” Cohen appeals heavily on pathos to the convince the audience of the fundamental corruption and carelessness that beholds today’s prisons towards inmates, especially mentally ill inmates. Cohen …show more content…
When describing the conditions at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility, Cohen embodies these traits. He seems to included valuable details from the lawsuit in a way that places you in a position of the mentally ill prisoners and the conditions they live in: “Many cells lack light and working toilets, forcing prisoners to use trays or plastic bags that are tossed through slots in their cell doors. Rats often climb over prisoners' beds, and some prisoners capture the rats. . . and sell them as pets to other inmates” ( ). The inclusion of this shocking detail implies that the prisoners have become so adjusted to the barbaric conditions they face on a day-by-day basis, they try to make the best out of the situation. This sad adaptation of the inmates is the first sense of sympathy in the