Mental Health Matters: Rethinking Incarceration for a Better Future On May 15th, 2010, sixteen-year-old Kalief Browder was unjustly arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack, igniting his tragic journey through New York's criminal justice system. Despite being a minor, Kalief faced adult charges and endured three agonizing years on Rikers Island due to his inability to pay bail, spending an additional 800 days in solitary confinement. Throughout his incarceration, he not only battled physical assaults from both prisoners and guards but also grappled with the deteriorating state of his mental health (Saunders). In those 2 years of time spent in solitary confinement, he tried to take his life several times. Although he was not diagnosed with
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In New York State, despite widespread support for the HALT Solitary Bill, it was never brought to a vote due to a deal struck between legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo, which allowed prison administrators to draft their own reform policies instead (Fettig). These proposed policies are criticized for being inadequate to address the issue of solitary confinement abuse. Despite these setbacks, advocates in New York continue to push for the passage of HALT and the implementation of real reform in the state, including a 15-day limit on solitary confinement that conforms with the international human rights standards set forth in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners, now known as the Mandela Rules (Fettig). Furthermore, mental health programs advocate for guiding individuals who are struggling in the criminal justice system towards community-based mental health care instead of harsh solitary confinement. The Mental Health America (MHA) association specifically stresses the need to tackle mental health issues within the criminal justice
In New York State, despite widespread support for the HALT Solitary Bill, it was never brought to a vote due to a deal struck between legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo, which allowed prison administrators to draft their own reform policies instead (Fettig). These proposed policies are criticized for being inadequate to address the issue of solitary confinement abuse. Despite these setbacks, advocates in New York continue to push for the passage of HALT and the implementation of real reform in the state, including a 15-day limit on solitary confinement that conforms with the international human rights standards set forth in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners, now known as the Mandela Rules (Fettig). Furthermore, mental health programs advocate for guiding individuals who are struggling in the criminal justice system towards community-based mental health care instead of harsh solitary confinement. The Mental Health America (MHA) association specifically stresses the need to tackle mental health issues within the criminal justice