MDOC Experiencing Rise in Suicides
by Ricardo Ferrell, VOD Field Editor
WHAT’S REALLY DRIVING THIS RISE IN SUICIDES?
In 2008, the department repurposed the Huron Valley Men’s Facility in Pittsfield Twp., and converted it into a women’s facility. Some of the housing units at HVMF that held many of the most severe mentally ill prisoners who often engaged in self-mutilation and suicidal tendencies, were transferred to the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Madison Twp., and housed in the only 2 Level IV units.
In the last two years, there have been 5 or 6 patients housed in the Resident Treatment Program (RTP units) commit suicide, which is a cause for concern. The Mental Health Services Department at Gus Harrison has several highly paid under qualified personnel overseeing the RTP units and those housed there.
It is this writer’s firm belief that some of the driving factors in the uptick in suicides at this particular facility comes from the continuous mistreatment by custody staff who have on many occasions suggested, urged, and dared prisoners who suffer from acute mental illness to kill themselves.
Some may wonder and ask how do I know this to be true? Well, prior to 2012, the MDOC utilized corrections officers to observe prisoners who demonstrated harmful behavior by self-inflicted injuries, and suicide attempts. However, due to the enormous cost associated with having officers to observe this particular group of prisoners (costing millions of dollars), along with how these prisoners showed a reluctance to share with staff the reasons behind the harmful behavior, former MDOC director Daniel Heyns decided to adopt a program from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where carefully selected prisoners received specialized and extensive training to be utilized in the Prisoner Observation Aide Program, which enabled the trained prisoners to observe those engaging in self-injurious and suicidal behavior.
The immediate benefits to the MDOC’s approach of adopting this unique program was the cost effectiveness where prisoners are paid $3.34 for working between a 3-6 hours in a 24-hour period, in comparison to the astronomical cost of paying a corrections officer his/her normal $20 – $25 per hour, or more depending on whether they’re working overtime, etc. Again, costing millions of dollars out of the $2.2 billion annual MDOC budget. The other benefit was the immediate recognition of the anticipated prisoner-to-prisoner connection, where those experiencing a mental breakdown and demonstrated harmful behaviors were more willing to share their issues with fellow prisoners far quicker than corrections officers, and/or a qualified mental health professional.
On May 6th, myself and 10 other prisoners received the required training to work as POA’s here at the Gus Harrison facility. After receiving certification from one of the psychologists and the classification department, I then went on to be assigned to work in both RTP units and the segregation unit. Between May 12, 2020 – November 15, 2020, I consistently worked sometimes far beyond the normal 3-hour shifts, in fact, there were times when we were short POA’s (ONLY 5 of us) and I would work 3 or 4 times in a 24-hour period, oftentimes 4-5 hours on each shift. By my best estimate, I probably was called to work approximately 200 times in the six month time frame.
My main point of mentioning the work history, is to show that I was present on many occasions when prisoners were being edged on to either harm themselves or commit suicide by corrections officers, and in another instance I witnessed a psychologist tell the prisoner, quote…
“I don’t believe you will kill yourself, so go ahead
do it.”
Although there isn’t anyone specifically named in the above-mentioned, this writer is willing to submit to a polygraph examination providing the numerous corrections officers and the psych in question of this unprofessional and unlawful behavior, are equally willing to do so as well. In the interest of fundamental fairness and justice for the many mentally ill prisoners directly impacted by the despicable behavior of employees within the Michigan Department of Corrections who indulge in the taunting of the most vulnerable by encouraging, enticing, promoting and daring them to take their own lives. It is suggested that a full scale independent investigation be conducted by an entity outside of the MDOC’s scope of authority based on the fact there has been suicides committed on the grounds of a state correctional facility.
While prisoners have limited rights as convicted felons, however, they do enjoy the right to be treated humanely with dignity and respect and reserve the right to definitely be free of mistreatment, humiliation, discrimination, and degradation. Among the Constitutionally Protected rights of any U.S. Citizen, including that of prisoners is the right to exercise their religious freedom, properly address their grievances/complaints, and to have unfettered access to the Courts & the Press.
In summation, it should be noted the following: An incarcerated individual should be free from reprisal, repercussion, and/or retaliation for exercising their right to file a complaint/lawsuit.
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The message below was sent to all MDOC prisoners via jpay on or about Feb. 8th, 2021. The MDOC’s own words must be adhered to accordingly:
Important Reminder on Retaliation
At the Michigan Department of Corrections, retaliation is not acceptable in any way.
Staff and prisoners have a right to file lawsuits and be free from retaliation if they chose to do so.
Retaliation of either prisoners or staff, based on their participation in a lawsuit as either a plaintiff or a witness, is not allowed.
Staff are cautioned from discussing legal claims, lawsuits, or settlements, including conduct or communications that would identify anyone who participated in a lawsuit.
We will not tolerate any form of retaliation.