James, Doris J., and Lauren E. Glaze. United States. Department of Justice. Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inamates. 2006. Web.

In 2006, the Bureau of Justice released a special report titled “Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates” in which data was gathered from prison and jail surveys. A mental health issue is an indicator or ongoing problems before, during, and after incarceration. Inmates who have a mental health issue were more likely to have had a history of mental health issues and a history of homelessness, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and involvement in the foster care system. During incarceration, inmates are more likely to have repeated issues, such as rule violations and injuries, leading to longer prison sentences and increased mental health treatment. After incarceration, inmates with a history of mental health issues are more likely to reoffend.

Monthei, Eric. “Marin Medicine.” Mental Health Services at San Quentin. 56.1 (2010): n. page. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.

In 2010 the Marin Medical Society interviewed Eric Monthei, PsyD, chief psychologist and chief of mental health for San Quentin State Prison. Monthei worked for the state mental health system before working for the prison. According to him, the health care in the prison system is comparable to care in the outside world. Even so, when asked about the effectiveness of the care offered Monthei avoids answering the question directly and instead focuses on the team that is working to better the system. This interview offers a good insight on the prison mental health care system and also hints at some of the inefficiencies present.

O’Reilly, Patrick. “The Group Psychologist.” Group therapy with mentally ill condemned inmates at San Quentin State Prison. (2011). Web. 12 Nov. 2012.

Patrick O’Reilly, PhD, wrote an article talking about the group therapy sessions at San Quentin State Prison and their benefits. Correctional Clinical Case Management (CCCMS) clients are diagnosed with mental illness but the symptoms are not severe. Enhanced Outpatient (EOP) clients are inmates who suffer from severe mental illness and therefore receive a more rigorous therapy routine. In group therapy, the inmates are places in individual cages. O’Reilly claims that therapy has positive effects on the inmates and that inmates are for the most part respectful of the process.

“The New Asylums.” Frontline. PBS: 2005. Web.

Frontline’s “The New Asylums” is a 60-minute documentary on the current state of mental health care in the prison system. The film follows the Ohio State Penitentiary and offers personal and in-depth views of the mentally ill prisoners. The site where the film is hosted also has a frequently asked questions section, a map of mental health stats by state, and a collection of special reports on the subject. The combination between the documentary and the website will be the centerpiece of my project and video. It is the most poignant way to convey the depth of the issue.

“Human Rights Watch Statement for the Record Senate Judiciary Committee.” Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Human Rights Watch. 2009. Address.

In 2009, Human Rights Watch presented a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law titled “Mental Illness, Human Rights, and US Prisons”. The report details the extent of the issue of mental health within the prison system and how un prepared the system is to handle the problem. They also note “the need for re-entry services far exceeds the supply”. The rights and the dignity of prisoners who suffer from mental health issues is at stake when they are placed in a facility that allows them to deteriorate. The statement details the different ways that the condition of the mentally ill in prisons denies individuals basic human rights. This statement offers a view on the issue that is both factual and poignant and also offers a legitimate set of recommendations that act as a call to action for policy makers.