A system strains, and inmates die

[unhappycamper]

James Deegan , a mental health worker at Bridgewater State Hospital, made his rounds recently at the facility’s Intensive Treatment Unit, where inmates are secluded for their own safety.

This story was reported by Globe Spotlight Team members Beth Healy, Michael Rezendes, Francie Latour, Jonathan Saltzman, and editor Thomas Farragher.

First of three parts


A system strains, and inmates die
December 9, 2007

~snip~

After all, everyone knew Jarred Aranda was in danger. He had just tried to kill himself in jail.

Now, the handsome 27-year-old, with a to-do list in his pocket and a smile that hid his troubles, was being evaluated for mental illness at the state prison hospital in Bridgewater. He should have been safe there.

Locked up for stealing sneakers and violating probation, Aranda was deeply depressed. His mind was ravaged by crystal meth and other drugs his mother had begged him to quit. He'd been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and he was hearing voices.

But he told prison doctors he didn't want to die, and they believed him. Then they forgot about him.

No one from the prison clinical staff checked on him for 10 days. When a doctor finally did show up again, Aranda said he felt hopeless, and couldn't sleep. But the next day, he was allowed to walk into a shower, unattended, for 17 minutes. He had a set of shoelaces with him.


Rest of article at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/12/09/a_system_strains_and_inmates_die/



uhc comment: This is a devastating article on prison suicides.

[duhneece]

1. We have money for bombs, prisons...

But no $$ for treatment facilities, schools, healthcare?
No more, I will not take this lying down anymore.
Thanks for post.