It’s amazing how prisons in different countries have gradually tilted towards being mental hospitals which to all intent and purposes are not suitable replacements for mental hospitals. Full details of this article is culled from MPR NEWS

Jails and prisons have become de facto mental hospitals, according to law enforcement officials, politicians and mental health advocates. The jails and prisons are not suited to the task.
“We’ve been using our criminal justice system as a substitute for a well-functioning mental health system — we’ve sort of criminalized mental illness and addiction,” said Sen. Al Franken in a news release. “I’m pleased my legislation to make our communities safer and stronger by helping our justice and mental health systems work together is one step closer to becoming law.”

Franken was referring to a bill that would direct more resources to help the justice system handle the challenge of mentally ill offenders. He introduced the measure in January, along with Rep. Rich Nugent (R-Fla.).
The American Civil Liberties Union has been a vocal critic of the lack of adequate treatment for mentally ill people and of the penal system’s role in dealing with the result.

“State prisons all over the country are facing crisis levels of mentally ill inmates,” the ACLU said in 2009 testimony to Congress. “Large populations of mentally ill inmates, along with fiscal challenges and inadequate community resources, have created population management difficulties for prisons. … Research has shown that a very high percentage of prisoners suffering from SMI [severe mental illness] are consigned to long-term administrative segregation — where extreme isolation and idleness makes their psychiatric conditions and prognoses worse.”