By: Jessica C. Rivera 1 Improving Healthcare of Mentally-ill at Attica Correctional Facility

Introduction Mentally-ill inmates entitled to: adequate healthcare: routine screening for infection, treatment (Estelle v. Gamble) protection from ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ (8th Amendment) Attica violates these rights: understaffed, shortage of in-patient psychiatric beds resulting in rise of mentally ill imprisoned and complaints of abuse 2

Rise of Mentally-Ill Incarcerated 3

Problem Assessment No Facility Health Services Director, permanent nurses, and Spanish-speaking healthcare professional Limited in-patient care at CNYPC causes DOC to use the SHU excessively 23 hrs a day, for 2.2 yrs (average) 64% locked up = mentally-ill lack of treatment high suicide rates 4

Literature Review Population of mentally-ill imprisoned rises 1960s: 85,000 psych, 15,000 prison beds – stats reversed in 1990s Rockefeller Drug Laws Lack of support after incarceration = mentally-ill returning Lawsuits exposing inadequate healthcare + mistreatment: Eng v. Goord (‘99), Anderson v. Goord (‘00), and Disability Advocates, Inc v. NYC Office of Mental Health and Department of Correctional Facilities (‘01-’07) 5

Stakeholder Analysis 1st – Governor Cuomo and NYS Legislature Goal: save money 2nd – Department of Health Goal: adequate healthcare for all 3rd – Department of Corrections Goal: protect by institutionalizing criminals 4th – Central New York Psychiatric Center Goal: hospitalize seriously ill needing rehab 5th – Advocacy Combo: PRP, Disability Advocates, Inc. and Prisoner’s Legal Services Goal: protect by advocating legal rights 6

More Treatment = Low Recidivism 7

Web Sites for Further Investigation Stephey, M.J. (2007).“De-Criminalizing Mental Illness”. Retrieved on October 27, 2011 from: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1651002,00.html Prison Policy Initiative (2000). “Incarceration is not a Solution to Mental Illness”. Retrieved on October 27, 2011 from: http://www.prisonpolicy.org/articles/massdissent040100.html Assembly of New York State (2011). “Notice of Public Hearing – Mental Health Treatment in Prison”. Retrieved on October 27, 2011 from: http://www. assembly.state.ny.us/comm/Correct/20111031.html 8