Mental illness not a prison sentence

To the Editor:

I don't believe the mentally ill belong in jail or prison for long periods of time. I cite the man in New Mexico who spent 22 months in solitary. He never went to court, was never convicted of a crime.

He was denied help for depression and dental care. He had bedsores and fungus growing on his skin.

We need to change the law in Indiana regarding mental illness. If they are under age 18, parents can have them hospitalized. But as adults, it's a different story. I was told by an Indiana state trooper, "we have to catch him breaking the law so we can arrest him."

I knew my son was very sick and in dire need of help. It broke my heart. I had seen him that way before. I knew what trouble was in store for him. I was powerless to stop it. They are hauled off to jail in the back of police cars and charged as criminals. He always denied being sick each time he went to jail.

I am very grateful that the judge sent my son to the hospital for treatment. He is no longer in denial, and understands that he has to stay on medication for the rest of his life.

He still faces criminal charges. He suffers from bi-polar. He continues outpatient treatment.

It is very important for him to have support of family members.

B.V. Mohler

Greencastle