Colleen Sullivan

Ms. Lewis

5W

January 8, 2015 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/13/opinion/keeping-the-mentally-ill-out-of-jail.html?_r=1 

1.) The editorials central claim is that we should do whatever we can to try to assist the mentally ill people that end up in jail.  We should pay more attention to these people because almost 40% of the 11,000 inmates in New York City have some sort of mental illness.  

2.) This editorial states facts and opinions but an important part of the editorial tells how we can help these people and how there is already a plan set in place to assist them.  It was put in place by the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio.  It will cost $130 million over four years but even though it’s quite costly, they think that it will overall help the mentally ill.  The program that is proposed consists of many components but one of the most important (and the most difficult) parts is to set up supportive housing for the mentally ill inmates.  This housing will have social and psychiatric services to help the mentally ill learn how to live independently.  Bill de Blasio thinks that jail shouldn’t be the choice of housing, but for many people, that is what it has become and that needs to change as soon as possible.  

3.)  I do agree with the claim here.  I obviously understand that there’s always going to be mentally ill people that will land in jail, but this plan is also trying to provide them with better mental health and drug treatment while they’re in jail.  I feel as though the plan makes sense, and could really help New York City if it will truly work.  If it is successful, perhaps it could spread nationwide.  The statistics say that mentally ill inmates cost quite a bit more to house than other inmates, because they often stay twice as long.  If this is true, then as taxpayers, all of us are paying to support these people in jail that may not even need to be there.  We need to get these people out of the jails to save our money and help these people get back on their feet.