Stop Unjust Treatment of Mentally Ill Inmates

We, the undersigned, hereby state that we support a petition to stop the unjust treatment of mentally ill and dually diagnosed inmates and provide the professional care they need. 

Debby Stone's son has been an inmate at Metro Jail since May. He has a dual diagnosis and has been housed in super-max and health care services for most of his time for probation violations of misdemeanor crimes. One corrections officer has imposed restrictions from telephone and visitors since June for trivial misbehavior such as her son getting angry when a trustee spit on his food as he was served.  His mail, both out-going and in-coming, has been restricted as well.  It is this officer's belief that mental illness can be cured with deprivation of human rights.  His faulty belief that her son's mental health will improve with greater restrictions has resulted in additional mental health problems and his status of being on suicide watch for more than a month. He has had no reading materials and has been completely isolated from the outside world. 
Further, it has been recognized that while his situation is "tragic,"  nothing warrants changing protocol. This statement is from a higher up official. The jail denies any wrong-doing. The proof is in the pudding. This young man is now slamming his head on concrete and his life is in danger.

By signing this petition, we are showing our disapproval of the conditions that mentally ill inmates are suffering from. We believe strongly that inmates suffering from mental illness need to be treated humanely, and given proper treatment for their mental health and addiction issues, rather than further isolation and severe punishment. Further, we agree that conditions of confinement need drastic improvements for dually diagnosed individuals so that they will eventually be released and live within society as law-abiding citizens.