Erin Kelly examines the recent treatment of prisoners with mental illness by the US police force.
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Human ability is a boundless marvel of life. It creates the possibility of opportunity, perhaps more profoundly and eloquently than any other force in the world can. Therefore, it has the power to change lives—or do whatever we want it to do.
Generations of trailblazers and candlestick makers alike have lit the way for the common man to follow in their footsteps. The things that those creative souls have left behind impact our very existence—and if they haven’t yet, they will in time. There’s no doubt human ability is a superpower, but one that must be used carefully and wisely. With that power comes the capacity to lie, cheat and stab others in the back.
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It can become an urge that seeps into your skin and rot your bones without a second to spare. When that happens, the ability to create opportunity is no longer human. It becomes the work of a monster—and the possibilities of causing physical harm to others—as well as the act of defying justice—is more real and prominent than life itself.
In fact, the Greek philosopher Socrates once said,
“One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no amount can it be right to do an injustice; and it is not right to return an injury or to do evil to any man, however much we have suffered from him.”
These words have proven to stand the test of time. An argument can be made that they even possess the power to show us what time can do—in life as well as society. If you break these words down, however, you might find they fit into the puzzle of the social justice system. Not only that, but you might also find a reason to believe they were meant to encompass everyone—including those with disabilities.
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If one is not willing to look deeper into Socrates’ words, they’re essentially numb to the fact that members of the disabled community can—and does—end up being victimized and brutalized now more than ever, as this recent article from Human Rights Watch reports.
According to the May 12 article, police across the US are currently using brute force against prisoners with mental illnesses. The behavior is being called “unnecessary, excessive and even malicious” by an unnamed author of the article, although the report itself included a link to an additional 127-page report, also published by Human Rights Watch.
That report specifically cites intimate details of incidents in which prisoners have been attacked—including internal injuries, broken bones and severe bruising on multiple areas of the body. The introduction to the extended report also states that many prisoners have died as a result of this unhinged brutality.
The situation has escalated to a crisis point, leaving Jamie Fellner—US program senior adviser at Human Rights Watch—no choice but to step in:
“Jails and prisons can be dangerous, damaging and even deadly places for [both] men and women with mental health problems. Force is used against prisoners even when—because of their illness—they cannot understand or comply with staff orders.”
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While no additional data or explanations are currently being made available, new research suggests that issues regarding mental illness are directly linked to prison, and serving extended jail sentences. However, it is noted that any amount of time spent in prison can be detrimental for individuals with a mental illness.
Looking at this strictly from a writer’s perspective, it’s downright sad. It’s sad that journalists and reporters have to shine a light on hideous stories like this. Yet, it’s a fact that such senseless brutality exists, and is therefore deemed as newsworthy. If I look at this from a disabled individual’s perspective, however, I can’t help but to see something completely different.
I may not have a mental illness, but I do have something that constantly makes me aware—of my needs, my fears and everything else around me. My cerebral palsy does that by default. I can’t control it, and it makes me aware of how physically vulnerable I am—just by the fact that I’m in a wheelchair. I’m so conscious of that one thing that it scares me sometimes.
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With that said, I can’t even begin to fathom how vulnerable these prisoners who are being beaten and tortured must feel. It’s revolting to think that this is actually happening, but the idea of these patients also having emotional issues in addition to their illnesses is worth thinking about.
Not every disability can be seen on the outside by the naked eye. This situation might have been avoidable—or at least dealt with better—if police were trained to look for the emotional aspects of a disability, or if the prisoners were able to give them some indication that they even had emotional problems on top of everything else.
A disability is often something you have little to no control over, and I think it can only lead to more hardship and pain if you go about exposing it the wrong way. Moreover, I also think that the biggest unanswered question here is, “Why?”
Why are police—the most known group of people who are hired and paid to bring solace and justice to this world—inflicting so much pain? Why aren’t they being brought to light more often? Most importantly, why are they getting away with murder—literally?
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I guess it’s simply the inner-workings of the social justice system, when you look at all the facts and figures associated with this. In fact, it’s very similar to the story of police killing an older gentleman, who had possession of a gun at the scene of a crime late last year. He, too, had a mental illness.
If that can be said a completely different story, what’s there to be said of police as we know them? What’s to be said about the things we consider acceptable in society today?
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I think there are more questions here than answers. This is a situation in which it’s not OK to let someone else answer those questions—or at least find a way to oppress what’s going on and raise awareness about it.
If we’re not willing to at least do that, we’re not carrying out the legacy of Socrates’ words—and taking part in an entirely different kind of war.
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Photo Credit: Human Rights Watch