Archive for » May, 2010 «

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Navajo Chief–Peter MacDonald…
31
May

As the rest of the nation commemorates Memorial Day, some 300,000 military veterans mark the event thru the impress of razor wire and prison walls.

Chief Peter MacDonald

Chief Peter MacDonald

The American Correctional Association (ACA) and the US Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) indicate that fully 83% of that number are veterans discharged under honorable conditions.  The Veterans Administration (VA) reports that 20% reported combat experience, 18% were homeless prior to their arrest, and 70% were arrested for a nonviolent crime.

It is clear that many military veterans start out with non-criminal issues, such as, PTSD/SS, drug and alcohol problems, and homelessness.  These situations sooner or later lead to criminalization if not effectively resolved thru mental and social health programs. more…

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Category: Cellmates, MacDonaldPeter, Navajo  4 Comments
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Prison Mental Illness…
29
May

It was one of those incidents I’ve experienced over the past 20 years.  The prison unit had about 20 extra double bunks in the common area where we usually sit around, watch TV, and play some games in the evening off-hours.  One of the side 2-man rooms was vacant in order to serve as a bathroom.

Labyrinth
Labyrinth

On one of the top bunks crowded into the common area lay this tall, lanky white guy sitting up on his elbows.  He was maybe 30 with longish hair.  He never spoke and we noted that his elbows, when he got down off the bunk, were literally worn down to white bone. more…

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Category: Mental Illness, PrisonHealth  4 Comments