Which Is Worse: Prison or Mental Hospital?

In a world where mental health issues are increasingly recognized, the question looms large: is prison or a mental hospital the more severe environment for those in need of care? This article explores the challenges and realities of both settings, offering insights into why one might prefer one over the other.

Prison: The Ultimate Nightmare

Prison life, especially for those who have grown up without a stable home, holds an undeniably claustrophobic and harsh experience. It is not merely a place of incarceration but a place where the mental health act can offer a semblance of humanity, albeit limited.

Antipsychotics, often seen as a crutch, are used to manage symptoms of mental health issues. However, their application is not always set in stone and is primarily aimed at helping with loss and anxiety. Despite the efforts to provide some semblance of normalcy, prison remains the ultimate nightmare, plagued by the harsh realities of the environment and the inherent dangers of incarceration.

Mental Hospital: An Idealized but Realistically Harsh Setting

A mental hospital, particularly for the criminally insane, can be compared to a closed ward designed for the truly disturbed. However, it often suffers from a lack of resources and overextended staff, leading to an ineffective and potentially dangerous environment.

In the U.S., while some prisons vary in conditions, they do not always provide the comfort or mental health support needed. Many jails and prisons lack air conditioning, which can contribute to heat strokes, and provide minimal mental health care. Moreover, the sleeping arrangements, often with cells shared with others, can be particularly stressful and potentially dangerous.

Comparative Analysis: Prison vs. Mental Hospital

Choosing between a mental hospital and prison depends on various factors, including the specific conditions in each institution. While in the U.S., the conditions may vary widely, some social democracies like Denmark offer jails with more freedoms than understaffed state mental hospitals.

In Denmark, a study has highlighted the differences. The Prison Conditions in Denmark shows nuanced variances in treatment and care. Similarly, in the UK, women's experience in mental hospitals is often vastly different from that of men, as many female convicts are kept in prisons rather than psych wards due to safety concerns and practical implementation of treatment.

Women in Mental Health and Prison Settings

The UK presents a stark contrast. Unlike Broadmoor, the former maximum security psych hospital, female convicts are no longer placed there. Instead, they are handled within prison settings, where they can be secluded in segregation if deemed dangerous, a practice many argue is not equitable.

Psychiatric wards, however, present unique challenges. They can be dangerous places for those with severe mental health issues. Women in these wards are often on constant watch, where the sound of screams is a recurring nightly phenomenon. The environment is harsh, and the risk of harm from other patients is ever-present. Even for those who are not criminally insane, the experience can be traumatic.

For females, the choice between prison and a psychiatric ward is even more complex. Women tend to be in prison settings even for the most severe mental health cases, while men are more likely to be sent to psychiatric hospitals. This gender disparity is a point of contention, as it doesn't always align with the best interests of the patient's recovery or safety.

Conclusion

While both settings have their challenges, the author ultimately prefers prison over a mental hospital. In the UK, for instance, prison is viewed as a safer option, even for females. However, this is not a blanket statement, as each case and setting must be carefully considered.

Ultimately, the decision between a prison and a mental hospital depends on the individual circumstances and needs of the patient. It is crucial to recognize the unique challenges and realities of each environment to make informed decisions about mental health care.