| (May Newsletter 2003 - Page 6) Deterioration The deterioration model holds that long-term incarceration causes the deterioration of an inmate’s personality and mental, emotional and physical well-being. Clinical and psychiatric case studies have long suggested that imprisonment can be devastating. For example, some studies into functional “psycho-syndrome” have shown inmates with defects in cognitive functions, such as loss of memory and a general clouding of comprehension and ability to think; other defects included emotional problems (apathy and rigidity), problems in relating to others (infantile regression and increased introversion), and the appearance of psychotic characteristics (obsessions, loss of reality contact). (Zamble & Porporino, 1988) Citizens For Reform has a serious concern when considering all the detrimental affects on the residents associated with long-term incarceration when no MSOP resident has been released in approx. 10 years. It appears that the state is incapable of treating these men in light of all the other associated mental health problems that arise from long-term incarceration. How can a program treat an individual for sexual behavior and not know that it also creating more problems in the wake of its intended goal? It appears that the program is counter-productive, counter-therapeutic, and more damaging to the individuals/residents than what it is willing to disclose. It appears that the program is a “mental health nightmare” that the state needs to wake up from. There is no mention in H.F. No. 812 of the new forms of psychological abuses now being perpetrated on sex offenders within the walls of the MSOP. Are the new changes to the MSOP being promised to the residents as a cover up for the abuses that have been perpetrated on them, and will the past abuses just go away? Will the Governor of our fine state apologize to the other class of individuals that are still being subjected to these “new refined” abuses within the walls of the MSOP? Citizens For Reform is looking into clarification of H.F. 812 and will report on any comment by government officials in the near future. However, we are confident that the Governor will include sex offenders in the H.F. 812 apology. However, if the State has no intention of including sex offenders in this apology, it would certainly raise questions of equal protection rights for the class of individuals known as sex offenders. Family Advisory Council Minutes of Meeting March 15, 2003 The Family Advisory Council met on March 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Anoka County Library in Champlin, MN. Those in attendance were Margretta Dwyer, psychologist, Joe Novy, Karen Petersen, Michael and Flo Brown, Dave Fries, and Mary Thuringer. One topic of discussion was the Global Positioning System (GPA). The GPA is a device used to track individuals by satellite. The individual wears a bracelet and carries a small box that alerts officials and the individual if he or she is in a restricted area. When this occurs, the individual must leave that area immediately. This has been a topic discussed by the Minnesota Legislature to possibly be used for tracking sex offenders and other felons who are released from prison or other facilities. It may also be used in the future in order to keep our prisons less populated and to keep more individuals in society. The possibility of the Moose Lake facility closing down was discussed. One Council member had spoken with Dr. Farnsworth in St. Peter and he stated that it would not be. However, another Council member had heard from other individuals that residents were more than likely going to be moved to the St. Peter facility and DOC would be taking over the Moose Lake building for more prison space. There was discussion of how the courts need to look at the various types of sexual offenses committed by individuals before civilly committing them to institutions. Many of those who are currently incarcerated in Minnesota treatment facilities for sex offenses were Levels 1 and 2, but are now considered Level 3 because they are in these institutions. Staff attitudes were discussed of how residents and visitors are not respected or treated like adults. Our belief is that staff are not there to help residents to heal, but to make matters worse by creating scenarios that will make residents look worse off than they really are in order to keep them incarcerated. Also many parole agents do the same in that they will make you feel defeated no matter how hard one tries to do the correct things in life, so that the ex-offender will give up and do something to be re-incarcerated. Community based treatment was discussed. Minnesota needs to develop more halfway housing and allow various ex-sex offenders to live at home while they attend treatment. In this way they can live somewhat normal lives by having their own homes, jobs, and relationships with society so they can practice what they are learning in treatment with “normal” people on the outside. Being incarcerated in these treatment facilities merely takes away their sense of self, makes them incapable of thinking and caring for themselves, and they become institutionalized – nothing more than robots doing whatever they are told. Then they are released into society with little or no transitional help, and it is very stressful and fearful to them. The meeting held on Monday, March 17 between DHS and two deputy commissioners, as well as others was discussed. Much anxiety and many questions were imposed as to what would be discussed and what changes will be coming about. Talk has it that over the next six months many good changes will be coming in these facilities. |
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