Posts Tagged With: Montana State Hospital

Montana’s Crisis – Suicide Epidemic

Posted on November 28, 2012 by mejustice

MONTANA’S 2011 SUICIDE RATE TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

Montana  not only has a very high rate of inmates committing suicide but the state also has a very high rate of suicides among citizens. 452 Montanans killed themselves from 2010-2011  

“Montana’s suicide epidemic is a public health crisis,” said Matt Kuntz, executive director of the Montana chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Helena.

From 2010-2011, at least 452 Montanans killed themselves. That’s about 22 people per 100,000 residents, nearly twice the national average. In 2010, 227 people killed themselves; in 2011 it was 225.

According to the Billings Gazette  Montana’s suicide rate leads the nation. 

In Montana, every one of the 452 Montanans who killed themselves last year had a face, be they a troubled father, a confused teenager, or a lonely, elderly widow.

The majority who took their lives — 77 percent, or 350 — were males. The victims came from all age groups, although most of them — 91 people — were 55 to 64. Another 88 were 45 to 54, and 75 of the victims were between the ages of 24 and 34.

Another 5,600 Montanans — an average of about 15 per day — attempted to kill themselves last year.

Montana counties with the highest suicide rates also have high unemployment and high rates of poverty. Twenty percent of Montana’s youth live 100 percent to 200 percent below the poverty line.

The shortage of mental health professionals and mental health treatment facilities in the state is also well-known and widely reported.

As of Nov. 1, there were 146 licensed psychiatrists in Montana. Patients can wait anywhere from two weeks to three months or longer to see a psychiatrist. In some areas of the state, there is one psychiatrist serving a vast, multicounty area.

“We’ve got a lot of hurting people,” said Jim Hajny, executive director of the Montana Peer Network, a nonprofit organization of individuals who are in recovery from mental illness, substance abuse or both.

“We have to get at this.”

Montana Suicide And Crisis Hotline

I agree with Jim Hajny, we do have to get at this.  We have a state of citizens that are full of despair.  How is Montana the last great state if the suicide rate and the incarceration rate are so high?  Something is drastically wrong.   We have to begin to address the problem of Montanans feeling hopeless that their government does not listen to them.  Families upon families are crying out. If you research this website alone you will see countless of hopeless situations, but this unfortunately is not the only website, there are many. 

I sincerely hope that the state of Montana and it’s legislators will look at these problems seriously. I hope that the new Governor elect Steve Bullock and the new Attorney General elect Tim Fox will work together on these problems.   We need to have citizens able to find jobs, not living in standards below poverty level thinking their only way out is by suicide….or being housed by a prison.  We cannot have a select few in the state that live well and look the other way when it comes to their fellow Montanans hurting.  Suicide and high incarceration rates are everyone’s issue.    What can you do to help solve this problem?

This problem that is in a

There are many great articles that the Montana media has published on this issue.  I suggest reading them.

Related Articles:

Warning signs

The following are signs that may indicate a person is at risk of a suicide attempt:

– Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.

– Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun.

– Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.

– Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.

– Talking about being a burden to others.

– Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.

– Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.

– Sleeping too little or too much.

– Withdrawing or isolation.

– Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

– Displaying extreme mood swings.

Source: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

For help

For help or to report a suicide, contact the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For the deaf or hearing impaired, TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). The services are free and confidential.

Categories: The Real MT | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Montana’s DOC’s Solitary Confinement For Mental Illness Inmates – ACLU

Posted on November 10, 2012 by mejustice

MONTANA STATE PRISON

FYI – The ACLU will be hosting a free program – Solitary Confinement-Overused, Cruel, and Ineffective, at the University of Montana Law School evening of Thursday November 15, at 7pm, Room 201.

Currently our Montana prison and jail systems use solitary confinement when dealing with people who have a mental illness.  We have over 340 plus inmates with a mental illness at Montana State Prison, limited beds for people with mental illness –  25 total, 12 or 13 on the low side, 12 on the high side.

Low side receives mental health services from staff from the Montana State Hospital, but the majority of the inmates with mental illness are on the high side, and receive limited (maybe meds) or no services.  There is a disparity of services and treatment towards high side inmates with mental illnesses.

This will probably be one of the most contentious topics at the upcoming legislation.  Reason for it – cost – more to implement start up services and facilities, than what we have been doing.

Our State and correctional system has been reverting back to the 18th century on how we handle people with mental illnesses – perverse and cruel punishment by not giving the medical mental health services and treatment they need.

The teenage prisoner couldn’t take the isolation of solitary confinement. The 23 hours each day with no human contact exacerbated his mental illness. Suicide seemed the only way out. He bit through the veins in his wrists in a desperate attempt to end his suffering.

Thankfully the ACLU of Montana was able to get Raistlen Katka out of solitary confinement at Montana State Prison, and to win a settlement that means no other minors will have to endure the months on end of solitary confinement that Raistlen did.

But solitary confinement is still in use for adult prisoners in Montana and other states. On any given day, more than 80,000 American prisoners are locked in isolation.

On Thursday, November 15 attend a free program in Missoula on how solitary confinement harms prisoners, how that hurts us as a society and how we can reduce its use.

Participants will hear from prisoners, corrections officials and psychiatrists in the 50-minute National Geographic documentary “Solitary Confinement.”

They will then hear from Eldon Vail, former Secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections, about how prisons can move more inmates out of solitary confinement and into the general population and about the special needs of mentally ill prisoners. Vail has 35 years of experience in corrections and has directly overseen three prisons. There will be the opportunity for questions.

Corrections officials argue that solitary confinement is necessary to maintain safety and order and that the practice modifies prisoner behavior. But experience shows solitary confinement modifies inmate behavior in unwanted and damaging ways. Deprived of any meaningful human contact, prisoners suffer from anxiety, depression, paranoia and sometimes even hallucinations. They often complete their prison sentences in solitary and are released directly into society with little or no ability to cope with other people. Many end up back in prison.

Even if you can’t attend, visit our website to learn more about solitary confinement and what the ACLU is doing to reduce its use.

Categories: MDOC/Abuse | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Warden Kirkegard, MSP And The Montana Parole Board

Posted on June 11, 2012 by mejustice

MONTANA STATE PRISON

Warden K:

I do not believe in
warehousing.
However, there is a
reason the prison is
here. Some people
need to be locked up. 

Montana State Prison

It’s all about the warehousing!!   Actions always speaks louder than words!  Some people need locked up, that we totally agree with, but not all of the people that they are locking up.   This is about business…The state has already made that statement. You can’t back pedal now.

Board of Pardons and Parole

Who are the members of the Board of Pardons and Parole?

The board is composed of seven citizens appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The current members are Margaret Bowman, Darryl Dupuis, Sam Lemaich, Mike McKee (chairman), Teresa O’Connor, John Rex and John Ward.

What are member qualifications?

Board members must possess academic training that has qualified them for professional practice in a field such as criminology, education, psychiatry, psychology, law, social work, sociology or guidance and counseling. Related work experience in the areas listed may be substituted for these educational requirements.One member must be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe. Board members apply for the position.

How often does the board meet?

Hearing panels composed of two or three members conduct hearings.Once a month, a hearing panel conducts hearings at various locations.

Where does the board meet?

Hearing panels conduct hearings at Montana State Prison, Montana Women’s Prison, regional and private prisons, prerelease centers, the revocation and sanction center in Anaconda, Montana State Hospital, Montana Developmental Center, and Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center.

What is the board’s relationship to the Department of Corrections?

The board is attached to the Department of Corrections for administrative purposes only. The board exercises its quasi-judicial, policymaking functions independently of the department and without approval or control of the department. The board hires its own personnel. The board reviews offenders based on community safety without being unduly influenced by the pressures of corrections system management.

What is parole?

Parole is the privilege of release of an inmate into the community prior to the completion of the inmate’ssentence, subject to the orders of the board and the supervision of the Department of Corrections.

What is a pardon?

A pardon is a declaration of record that an individual is to be relieved of all legal consequences of a prior conviction.

How much of a sentence must an offender serve before being eligible for parole?

Because of statutory changes over time, parole eligibility varies according to when an offender committed the crime. For crimes committed after Jan. 30, 1997, an offender becomes eligible after serving a fourth of the full term of a time sentence and 30 years of a life sentence. That is the case with most inmates in prison today.

Does being eligible for parole mean an offender is entitled to be paroled?

An offender may have met the statutory requirements for parole eligibility, but no offender has a right to parole. A parole may only be granted in the best interest of society and when the board feels that a person is willing and able to be a law-abiding citizen.

Does every inmate become eligible for parole

Yes, unless a judge specifically orders that an inmate is not eligible for parole.

What is the greatest misconception about the board and its work?

The most common misconception is that the board doesn’t release anyone. On average, the board grants parole to half of the offenders who have parole hearings or who are administratively reviewed

How does the board prepare for parole hearings?

The board receives and reviews reports from the facility where an offender is housed, board staff reports, psychological evaluations, sex offender reports, and written statements in support or opposition to parole.

What factors do the board take into consideration when deciding whether to parole an inmate?

The primary objective of the board is to carefully review each offender and grant parole when it finds there is a reasonable probability the offender can be released without detriment to himself or herself and the community. When making decisions, the board considers institutional adjustment, completion of recommended treatment and programming, criminal history, circumstances of the offense, input from victims, law enforcement,and the public, and any information relevant to the case,the offender or public safety.

What efforts are needed on the part of an inmate to be paroled?

Clear conduct in prison is expected of all inmates considered for parole. The board also expects an effort to be made to complete recommended treatment and programming. An offender also must have verifiable residence and employment.

What happens if the board decides to parole an inmate?

If the board grants an offender’s request for parole, the process begins with an institutional probation and parole officer or case manager. He or she ensures applications for a community placement and/or parole plan are adequate to enable the offender to re-integrate successfully into society. Once the board staff receives the proposed parole plan, it is sent to the respective probation and parole office to be investigated. The investigation of an inmate’s proposed residence, employment and treatment can take up to 30 days. If the plan is approved, the board staff sets the date for the offender to parole from the facility.

What happens if the board decides not to parole an inmate?

If an offender is denied parole, board may set a date for the offender to re-appear or for an administrative review, or pass the offender to discharge

What are some of the most common reasons for an inmate to be denied parole?

The board typically bases its denials on such factors as the nature or severity of an offense, multiple offenses, criminal history, poor history under community supervision, a pattern of similar offenses, repeat sex offenses, previous escape from custody, and strong objection from criminal justice authorities or the public. The board looks at the offender’s entire record when considering early release on parole.

Does the board want to keep inmates in prison longer than they need to be there?

No. The board’s goals are to protect society by not releasing an inmate shown to be a danger to society and to allow parole when the board concludes an offender can be released without detriment to himself or herself or the community. The board is a part-time, appointed citizen board and members have no personal interest in keeping offenders in prison longer than members determine is necessary to meet its goals and obligations. Discretion in releasing inmates is essential and best placed in an independent, informed, just and careful parole board. All parole decisions are tailored to each offender with the primary objective of ensuring community safety.

Can the board be sued for its decisions?

No. The board has quasi-judicial status that enables it to perform duties similar to a judge. Decisions can be challenged in court if the decision was based on erroneous or inaccurate information or for alleged violations of due process.

Can an inmate review the contents of his or her parole file?

The Montana Constitution and Montana law allow an inmate to review his or her parole file. However, the board may withhold any document in the file that is subject to a personal privacy or safety interest that clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure. The law permits the board to charge a fee to review and copy records as well as limit the time and place an offender can review a file. Inmate file review requests are scheduled based on parole eligibility date, next scheduled hearing date and staff availability at each facility.

For more information about the Board of Pardons and Parole, contact the board staff at 846-1404.
Every article of their’s is fluff.  Meaning it looks good but it is not what they have been operating by.  Many in the organizations attended the same Law and Justice Committee Meetings.  We heard the speakers and we heard what the Law and Justice had to say to DOC.  DOC has just prepared one of those artificial candles that looks like a cake, smells like a cake, but if you bite into it…..it is NOT a cake!   They have to answer to the Law and Justice for all of the complaints and all of the civil suits and all of the issues that surround Montana Department of Corrections like dark storm clouds.  (Re-entry programs said that they have not seen many inmates being sent to them.)

They have allowed County Attorneys and Montana Department of Justice to have the authority to call into the Parole Board and tell them that they want individuals to stay in longer.  Deny them parole.   Of course this is a great deal for them.  Just as DOJ, such as Matt Johnson attorney for Jefferson county called state examiners to change their PSI report recommendations.  Do you think these prosecutors want any of them out?  Especially those attorney’s that used misconduct to prosecute someone. On behalf of the Parole Board if DOJ is calling them and telling them something how are they suppose to know if it is true or not?  Anyone would usually think that the county attorneys were telling the complete truth. 

Montana Department of Corrections is acting like a “riot” could happen.  You see it all through out their reports.  If that is the case it is because they know that they are pushing for one to happen.  How sick is that?  Pushing for a riot to show that they need to be a lockdown prison.  Pushing for a riot so they can get their money.  Pushing for a riot so they can suspend all visitors, so no one can see all the little dirty misdeeds that are going on.  Officers having sex with inmates, stealing money out of the Inmates Welfare Fund, abusing the inmates,  not allowing them to be paroled.  Yes, it looks like they have let many out, let us see the state records showing those statistics.  According to previous records before from the department these numbers do not coincide.   Threats and blackmail are happening all the time in MDOC.  This is not just with the SOP classes but also with the Chemical Dependency Classes.  They are forcing inmates to sign documents that they have to take these classes although their crime or their sentence from the judge has nothing to do with that.  Wouldn’t that make you angry?   That would make any normal person angry.  If it did not make you angry that would make you abnormal which is what these Montana departments expect them to be.  It does not make sense…..except it is a trap. A trap to make money, lot’s of money.  Taxpayers hard earned money.  The most corrupt system that we have seen. 

Categories: Common Sense, MDOC/Abuse, Montana BOPP | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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