Introduction
The Ashley Smith case was ruled as a homicide by a 5-judge bench in 2013, 6 years after the after the 19-year old inmate with mental problems killed herself in a secluded prison cell. In passing the judgement, the jury came up with 104 recommendations (nationalpost.com, 2013). While I agree with nearly all of the recommendations, I shall discuss three of them and three others among the few that I disagree with.
I agree with the following “That Smith’s experience within the correction system be taught as a case study to all Correctional Service management and staff at all levels” (nationalpost.com, 2013). This would enlighten al prison authorities and especially the wardens and staff-handling prisoners on a day-to-day basis. In most cases, prison staffs take it that the prisoners are always on the lookout for means to escape. Thought about the prisoners acting self-injuriously being mentally ill or having been provoked excessively, do not take pre-eminence and therefore the staff may neglect a prisoner who is in such a situation (Blaauw, Kerkhof & Hayes, 2005). The gravity and the manner in which Smith died should serve as a wakeup call for management and staff at correctional facilities to watch out closely for self-injurious behaviors among their prisoners.
The second recommendation to which I agree is “That there is adequate staffing of qualified mental health care providers with expertise and experience in place at every women’s institution.” (nationalpost.com, 2013). The presence of adequate staff will handle the pressure from the numerous cases that require their attention. Many a times, prisoners will act in manner likely to suggest that they may be having mental problems. Some of the problems may have developed prior to their incarceration while other may have developed the condition out of the imprisonment. Mental problems are likely to worsen when one is incarcerated (Kruschwitz, 2012). As such, the demand for qualified mental health professional will always be high in correctional facilities. Both male and female facilities should have adequate and qualified psychiatrists.
I also agree with the recommendation that “That the CSC develops a new, separate, and distinct model from the existing Situation management Model to address medical emergencies and incidents of self-injurious behavior.” (nationalpost.com, 2013). Many incidents of suicide occur in prison facilities. In 2013, 5.5% of all deaths in state and federal prisons resulted from suicide. Although Suicide kills, more inmates than overdoses, homicide, and accidents combined some homicide cases can be disguised as suicide (Smith, 2013). The more saddening bit is that in almost all suicide/homicide cases, the prosecution authorities do not investigate the deaths and hurriedly conclude that the victims commit suicide.
I do not agree with the following recommendations the first being “That female inmates be accommodated in the region closest to their families and social supports” (nationalpost.com, 2013). Although this could act in the interest of the inmate, it opens a loophole for several issues that could undermine justice. First, criminals will be able to predict almost accurately the prison or correctional facility to which they are to be incarcerated if they commit crimes. This could open loopholes where the criminals collude with prison authorities and management on how to subvert justice through escapes or pre-arranged preferential treatment. If implemented, the recommendation could also lead to an increment in the number of criminal/prison gangs since criminals from one area will always congregate in the correctional facility closest to them (Vito, 2004). The situation will also make it possible for prisoners to access contrabands and this grossly undermines the correctional programs while posing a great danger to security inside the prison. As, such, convicted prisoners should be incarcerated far from home but where they can access medical facilities and receive utmost care.
The second recommendation to which I disagree was “That all staff providing mental health care report and be accountable to health-care professionals, not security.” (nationalpost.com, 2013). This recommendation is likely to create a division between the prison security and the mental support teams. It is possible that the teams providing mental support teams could undermine the justice system and aid the prisoners to escape, arm them, or collude with the prisoners to subvert justice. The presence of staff to provide medical support to prisoners is not arguable but they should all be housed under the prison security team instead of acting autonomously. Where possible the staff providing the mental health should be part of the security teams. Vito (2004) recommends that they should be adequately trained to offer security in the prison as they watch out for prisoners needing mental health support. Whenever external help from medial professional is required, the trained medical/security staff should promptly coordinate it.
The third was that “The CSC develop training to prepare and respond to the particular issues faced by young adults housed in an adult penitentiary” The number is issues facing young adults is numerous and very diverse (Blaauw, Kerkhof & Hayes, 2005). As such, this recommendation was somehow ambiguous. It is, therefore, difficult to select the issues upon which the prison staff should prepare.
Conclusion
The recommendations made by the jury in the Ashley Smith case are very fundamental because they address an issue of great concern to many families. As such, the necessary authorities should act on them and to those that are vague or seem to subvert justice; the relevant authorities should seek the jury’s guidance to implement them in the best manner possible.
References
Ashley Smith death ruled a homicide by inquest jury. (n.d.). National Post. Retrieved April 5, 2014, from http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/12/19/ashley-smith-death-ruled-a-homicide-by-inquest-jury/
Blaauw, E., Kerkhof, A. J., & Hayes, L. M. (2005). Demographic, Criminal, And Psychiatric Factors Related To Inmate Suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 35(1), 63-75.
Kruschwitz, R. B. (2012). Prison. Waco, Tex.: Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University.
Smith, A. (2013, September 4). Suicides kill more inmates than homicide, overdoses, accidents combined. NBC News. Retrieved April 5, 2014, from http://www.nbcnews.com/news/other/suicides-kill-more-inmates-homicide-overdoses-accidents-combined-f8C11072563
Vito, G. F. (2004). Dangerousness and the Death Penalty: an Examination of Juvenile Homicides in Kentucky. The Prison Journal, 84(4), 436-451.
