Comment on Judge: Alabama inmates' mental care 'horrendously' lacking

Judge: Alabama inmates' mental care 'horrendously' lacking

(AP) — Alabama's psychiatric care of state inmates is so "horrendously inadequate" that it violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, a federal judge ruled Tuesday as he ordered the state to overhaul conditions. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled in favor of Alabama inmates who sued the state Department of Corrections in 2014 claiming that untreated conditions and lengthy lockdowns were leading to more symptoms, violence and suicides. Thompson, in a scathing 302-page order, wrote that Alabama had failed to identify and treat prisoners with mental illnesses, provide adequate mental health staff and services, and adequately identify and monitor suicidal inmates. Thompson in his order noted that severe shortages of mental health and correctional staff, and chronic overcrowding, are "the overarching issues" that lead to inadequate mental health care.

 

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