Joseph F. Paulonis: Solitary confinement a mental health issue

As per the Nov. 14 news article “Secrecy shrouds inmates in solitary” by Ames Alexander: A large number of inmates are maintained in solitary confinement for a number of years. Many of these inmates have mental problems.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the inmates with mental health problems are as follows: local jails – 64.2 percent; state prisons – 56.2 percent; federal prisons – 44.8 percent.

Our enlightened legislatures closed mental institutions because of lack of oversight and resulting inhuman treatment. Now much of the problem has been turned over to correctional institution management which does not have the proper training and the same results.

It is time for members of our legislature to address the local and national mental health problem.

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Joseph F. Paulonis: Solitary confinement a mental health issue."