Bell Ringers

Bell Ringer: Mental Illness and the U.S. Prison System

Mental Illness and the U.S. Prison System

Journalist Alisa Roth discussed the large about of people with mental illness incarcerated in the U.S. prison system. She spoke about the reason why that nearly half the people in U.S. jails and prisons have a psychiatric disorder.

Description

Journalist Alisa Roth discussed the large about of people with mental illness incarcerated in the U.S. prison system. She spoke about the reason why that nearly half the people in U.S. jails and prisons have a psychiatric disorder.

Bell Ringer Assignment

  • What are the trends regarding prison and mental illness?
  • According to Ms. Roth, why are these trends a problem?
  • How have prisons recreated many of the problems that existed in the state psychiatric hospital systems?
  • Explain why there is such a large population of people with mental illness in the U.S. Prison system.

Additional Resource

  • Video Clip: Criminal Justice Reform Legislation

    Executive Director of the Justice Action Network Holly Harris discussed legislation addressing problems with the criminal justice and prison system. She talked about ways that these bills could reduce recidivism and decrease the prison population.

Participants

    Vocabulary

    • Criminal Justice Reform
    • Developmental Disability
    • Mass Incarceration
    • Mental Illness
    • Psychotic
    • Schizophrenia
    • Substance Abuse

    Topics

    Criminal Law & Justice

    Grades

    High SchoolUniversity