Courts & Jails…

How is that a person with a cognitive disorder such as schizophrenia is put in solitary confinement as punishment?  What caused criminal justice workers at the Baltimore City Jail to refuse to give medication to an inmate diagnosed with a Bipolar Disorder, even when his parents alerted the staff that their son was on psychotic medication?  In what way is the judicial and/or legal system working or not working for you and your relatives with mental disorders?

Every now and then, some of us monitor particular cases in the District and Circuit Courts in Anne Arundel County.  Sometimes we go to court to support family members in NAMI as their relatives go through the court system; other times we go to observe cases on the mental health docket being heard by Judge Megan Johnson.

On May 21, 2011 I visited courtroom 4c  in the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County(Annapolis). I continue to be impressed by how hard the judges there work to ensure justice is served for our loved ones with mental illnesses and others.  Along with other members of our NAMI Anne Arundel County affiliate, here’s some of what we observed.  Be sure to share your experiences, also.

This Month’s Judicial Hall of Fame

The Honorable William C. Mulford, II

 5th Judicial Circuit
Associate Judge

… You had to have been there to appreciate how inspiring and insightful this judge in Maryland’s Circuit Court in Annapolis could be. The Honorable WILLIAM CREAGH MULFORD II, has been an Associate Judge, Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, 5th Judicial Circuit… since January 17, 2006.

    I cheered as Judge Mulford angrily threw competency evaluation papers across “the bench”  (his court desk) and asked almost rhetorically – “How could anyone declare this man competent?”  That followed an earlier exchange when he asked the inmate housed at Jessup… if  he wanted to sit down to address the court. The inmate said he couldn’t “focus” if he did so.  Then Judge Mulford began questioning him:  “Do you know where you are? Do you know how many people are on a jury?”  The inmate who had been declared competent to assist with the preparation of his jury trial, quickly answered, “Yes” and “Six.”

        “What’s a jury,” asked the judge. “I don’t know,” the inmate said.  “People who sit over there.”  “That does it,” declared Judge Mulford as he watched the inmate rock back and forth.  

I was nearly in tears when the inmate asked Judge Mulford, “Your Honor, couldn’t you order me to a mental hospital to get help?”  Then, I couldn’t stop the tears as Judge Mulford said, “Absolutely! You took the words out of my mouth.”  The judge shook his head as he muttered almost to himself, “I don’t know how anyone could render this man is competent to stand trial.”  Having been arrested for arson and reckless endangerment on November 24, 2010, the prisoner was finally committed to Springfield Hospital Center in May 2011 with a  a competency hearing is set for July.  Some of us will also be there to see how things go.

This is what we’re up against and why your contributions matter.  People with broken brains are often spending more time incarcerated than those who have committed more serious crimes.  Thus my advocacy for a mental health court in Anne Arundel County goes on.  So, thank you for supporting and advocating for improved mental health services. With medicine and treatment our loved ones can become functional members of society.  It’s time for the myths and stigma of mental illness to end.  That’s why we walk; that’s why we talk about mental illness. 

Thank you for volunteering your time and speaking out about the needs of those with mental health issues.  

Please leave comments below about what you have seen and experienced when your mentally ill loved ones encounter members of legal and correctional institutions.