In interviews of more than 100 past and present inmates of the county jail spotlighted in this series, it is asserted that mental health inmates were compelled to be silent in a men’s solitary confinement unit. Allegedly, denial of privileges or use of force was used against anyone who requested mental health care services. These inmates were allegedly kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day with no hygiene products or reading materials. As a result, it is alleged that the inmates suffered adverse psychological symptoms, and those with mental health problems experienced worsened symptoms.
It is asserted in complaints against the county jail that many people leave the facility in worse mental health condition than when they arrived. This allegedly contributes to a cycle of recidivism because it becomes more difficult to successfully re-integrate the inmates into society.
The county population is made up of 13% Black people and yet 67% of the county jail population is made up of Black people, which allegedly implies tremendous racial oppression in the county and intensifies social unrest.
See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and this ongoing series to learn more about disturbing allegations against this county jail. In the next installment, learn what individual inmates have disclosed about their personal experiences at the county jail, though all will remain anonymous on this site.
The purpose of this post is simply to inform, as is the case with all other posts on this site. There is no intention to imply or assert that any individual, institution, or organization engaged in misconduct or inappropriate behavior of any kind.
–Guest Contributor
