On mental health issues behind bars

August, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of Humanity for Prisoners. This is the tenth in a series of reflections by founder Doug Tjapkes.

 

It wasn’t long after I started this organization that I learned some hard facts about mental illness in our state prisons. In our early years we had 3 new clients with mental issues. And, as we always do, we jumped in with both feet! 

I’ll share brief stories about Arnie, Kevin and Kyle in a moment. But first, we must talk about this problem. 

Mental health issues are highly prevalent in Michigan prisons. Individuals suffering from serious mental illness make up roughly 23% of the total prison population. 

That really should be no surprise. We closed down about three-quarters of our state psychiatric facilities between 1990 and 1998 under Governor John Engler! As you might expect, prison then became a substitute facility for many mentally challenged individuals. 

Now about our early clients and their cases. 

Arnie was an old guy with mental challenges who got in a fight with his neighbor. Neither the police nor the courts gave any consideration to possible mental illness. He was sent to prison, where life became hell. Abuse by guards, who had no training in handling special needs prisoners, was common. 

We joined hands with his sister MaryAnn who successfully appealed to a to a higher court. I drove to the other side of the state just to be in the courtroom when Arnie walked free and to shake his hand. 

Then there are the cases of Kevin and Kyle. 

Kevin’s mother Lois contacted me. Her young son was struggling with bipolar and personality disorder issues. Many of our state hospitals had been closed so she could find no help. As a result, the outrageous decision by a non-caring judicial system to place this troubled young lad into the lion’s den of an adult prison at the age of 15! 

Lois and her Kevin then told me about another lad named Kyle who was locked up in an adult prison at an even lower age! I still remember that this kid lost a finger when a guard slammed cell door on it! 

Well, I made it a point to visit both of these young guys in prison, buy them some candy bars, and assure them that they had a friend trying to help. Both related shameful accounts of abuse by staff. 

Michigan has a sad, documented history of incarcerating juveniles with mental illnesses and cognitive disabilities in adult correctional facilities. To its credit, The MDOC has implemented several targeted initiative to better equip COs in handling men and women who are experiencing mental health crises. 

Yet, the problem of incarcerating mentally challenged men and women, and not providing proper care, continues. 

Our job is to be there for these people and their families. That’s exactly what HFP does. 

"It's easy to judge. It's more difficult to understand. Understanding requires compassion."

---Unknown

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