“Prisons do not disappear social problems, they disappear human beings.”

                                 — Angela Davis

There has been much wringing of hands over deaths at Rikers Island and inquiries over the quality of mental health treatment for inmates, or, as is now the proper term, Offenders. While it is not uncommon for indicted individuals who have not been convicted of any crime to be incarcerated and receive the same mental health largesse as well, it all comes to roughly the same thing. Nothing.

That is to say, folks, take the New York State prison system, known as DOCCS — Department of Community Corrections and Supervision. Unfortunately, I can personally attest to their services. Even better, in order to be able to write about it I submitted to a six month tour in a drug and alcohol treatment program — since these programs are wiling to consider almost anything and anyone as an aberration worthy of palliative treatment, not just drugs or booze. It’s a free-for-all. And, the only commonality in such programs is that’s where the drugs are most available.

While the Riverhead Jail in the Hamptons provides no real mental health treatment, it’s not until you get to the Big Time in the upstate prisons that you discover what DOCCS has in store for you if you have a psychological problem. There are no therapists, as you have come to know them. Therapy may be what you desire or need but distrust is what you get. And, if you have an anxiety problem you are more likely to get an Ibuprofen than a valium. Which, is also a likely outcome if you have chest pains and ask for help in the Infirmary.

Of course, offenders DO abuse the system. Drugs are a convenient form of currency and it is certainly not unknown for a prisoner to lie about his need for a calming medication. After all, who wouldn’t need a tranquilizer after being locked up behind bars with killers?

But, here’s the reality. Prisons in New York have workers, mostly nurses, who distrust offenders. Therapy is not an option because they are not trained to do therapy. The few psychologists or psychiatrists that exist do testing, evaluations, or medicate. And, those that DOCCS actually employ are placed with the psyche prison units. They are not pretty places, nor are they fun. All they do is medicate and run The Walking Dead. That’s what treatment is in prison.

Some of the cops, Correction Officers, will tell you the truth. “They should make it a rule that to become a C.O. you have to do at least one year locked up behind bars.” And, for those who claim to be capable of doing psychotherapy I would suggest the same. That includes the professors who teach in Social Work schools, Ph.D. psychology programs, Criminal Justice programs, M.D. programs, and any others who consider themselves to be professionals in the field dealing with prisons. Why? Because no one who does psychotherapy or offers mental health treatment in prisons are trusted by prisoners or understands prison culture.

If you talk to a shrink you’re a Rat, according to other prisoners. And, they’re not always wrong. Gossip among and between therapists and the Administration after therapy sessions is NOT unknown.

To those of us who are fed continuous explanations of difficulties in the prison system be aware that there is no organized and logical treatment plan. The offenders are treated with indifference, abuse and contempt.

— And when they are released into society again we all pay the price.