While exploring and researching mental illness in prison, my topic for the junior theme, I came across an article about a specific prison inmate. Michael Megginson is a prisoner at Rikers Island and was arrested for stealing a cell phone. In comparison to other prisoners and the crimes they committed, his didn't seem like a big deal. However, Megginson has become one of the most violent inmates at Rikers since his arrest. Why is that?
Megginson was diagnosed with mental illness from early on in his childhood. Although the article doesn't state his specific diagnosis, he is said to have had behavioral problems leading to violence for a long time. He came from a damaged family with many victims of mental illness themselves. He had been in and out of mental institutions, and while at Rikers he seemed to worsen, becoming very violent to himself and others. If he hadn't been so violent while in jail, he would've been released by now, according to his lawyer. He has been transferred to a state psychiatric prison hospital for the meantime, but no one can agree on where he should reside. Does he belong in prison again, or at a psychiatric hospital?
I think the argument over where to "keep" Megginson is interesting. Does he need to be kept anywhere? It seems as though his family and officials are arguing over a boat or a car, not a human being. I understand that he is violent and dangerous at times, but isn't there something to be said about healing with your family? I think everyone believes that being in prison worsened his condition, so I wonder why they're so eager to keep him away again, even if it is in a hospital.
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