Thursday, March 17, 2011

Toersbijns: COs and prisoners with psychiatric disabilities.

From the blog of a man I've respected from the first time we corresponded for his integrity and commitment to professional standards and humane, effective treatment of those who have been criminalized and have a mental illness - particularly those being warehoused without proper care in Arizona's Special Management Units. This is Carl Toersbijns' essay on an issue I don't know much about myself - security staff stressors and expectations working with the seriously mentally ill in prison. He's a retired AZ Department of Corrections Deputy Warden (from Eyman Prison). Hit his site for more on this topic than I could possibly keep up with and steal...

Carl won't call himself an abolitionist (yet), but like most sincere people engaged in trying to make this world a kinder place for all, I think he'd celebrate the day we can abolish our prison system with the same enthusiasm that I will.
We need to tear down this machinery that's so deeply invested in perpetuating crime and exploiting punishment instead of directing our collective resources towards ending victimization and empowering communities to hold their transgressors more directly - and effectively - accountable.

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Prisons Versus State Hospitals

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