Frontline examines the lives of mentally ill repeat offender who are struggling to make a life for themselves outside of prison.Frontline examines the lives of mentally ill repeat offender who are struggling to make a life for themselves outside of prison.Frontline examines the lives of mentally ill repeat offender who are struggling to make a life for themselves outside of prison.
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A serious problem that is too seldom talked about...
This episode of "Frontline" was important to me because before I began teaching, I was a social worker and psychotherapist in Ohio (the same state where this episode was made). I worked for a decade with the population shown in this film--the mentally ill who are in and out of the prison system. And, as a result, I know that there really is no system for the mentally ill--especially the mentally ill who commit crimes. I know that the law is stupid in this regard and will not force these folks to stay on their medication when they are released and there really are few programs to keep up with them on release. Instead, many of them wander the streets until they once again are picked up and returned to prison. And, when they are in prison, they're usually put in with career criminals--folks who might prey on these mentally ill prisoners or teach them their anti-social ways. It's an insane system, that's for sure! I think one of the fascinating things about this episode is that it is a followup for some. Many of the same men shown here were in a previous show made years earlier and it helps to demonstrate high recidivism--particularly with this at-risk group.
Overall, a very realistic and very depressing episode. There are no answers and the system is broken...and no one seems to mind--at least not enough to do anything. Sad, but the show is very effective in illustrating this problem.
By the way, I found it odd that the one halfway house did NOT test for drug use. This is strange and is a prerequisite to be in many programs such as the one I worked for--and was a routine part of being in the program. Also, just to let you know, the crimes these mentally ill folks commit are generally more annoying crimes than violent crimes or crimes involving premeditation.
Overall, a very realistic and very depressing episode. There are no answers and the system is broken...and no one seems to mind--at least not enough to do anything. Sad, but the show is very effective in illustrating this problem.
By the way, I found it odd that the one halfway house did NOT test for drug use. This is strange and is a prerequisite to be in many programs such as the one I worked for--and was a routine part of being in the program. Also, just to let you know, the crimes these mentally ill folks commit are generally more annoying crimes than violent crimes or crimes involving premeditation.
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- planktonrules
- Dec 5, 2011
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- Runtime57 minutes
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