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Why are these people not put in mental institutions (they would be here) instead of possibly jail? That is where they belong: jail and other punishment is not going to help anyone long term.



Because it's illegal in the USA, thanks to various court rulings in (IIRC) the 1970s.


Strange you can lock people up in prisons but not give them help they need... I understand why it would be illegal but jails are far worse for people with mental illness and it won’t work as a deterrent for them either; they come out worse than going in if they survive. So that should be forbidden too then.


Is there any effort/motivation to change this? Not saying we should or shouldn't, just wondering.




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