Transcript
Money Over Matter M.O.M. What is the MDOC and some of its "Clip-on-Agencies" really about? Let's find out. Health Care: Empirical evidence suggest that MDOC Health Care exist, in part, because it is a requirement. Although health care provides services, these services are so egregious that it cannot actually be called treatment. Health Care is not an intervention or prevention type service. Matter of fact, Health Care alleges that everything pertaining to prisoners is about cost money). They claim that the MDOC is cutting cost for medication, the type of medication a prison can receive, and other medical services, ect., ect., however, no Health Care staff is complaining about their pay being cut. To support this allegation, Health Care services consist of vital sign and the best possible guess that can be made regarding a prisoner's health. These guesses are at the lowest cost possible no matter how much the prisoner is suffering. However, Health Care's guessing games do not apply to treating their MDOC work buddies, who may sometimes need minor health care. MDOC employees get the best at no cost. The numerousity of lawsuits, complaints, grievances and other filings will support some of these allegation. Mental Health: I am no expert in either the medical or mental health profession to actually diagnose any problems, however, I can make an accurate assessment based upon the actions of these "so-called" professionals. While it is true that some prisoners take advantage of both medical and mental health services, this should not be an invitation or opportunity for these "so-called" professionals to disregard the medical health and/or mental status of the prisoners. For example, the MDOC has corrections officers in charge of the mental health units. Corrections officers, who are untrained, mistreat the mentally ill, call them names, and play games with them. The mental health staff's silence seemingly suggest that they approve of such behavior. And any reasons corrections officer and/or mental health staff chooses to provide for such behavior is unacceptable, even if the prisoners deserve it. It is also true that there are numerous prisoners in the Mental Health Program for reasons other than mental health treatment, however, prisoners inappropriate behavior should not be considered a valid reason for these "so-called" professionals to abandon professionalism? Indeed, the Mental Health story is slightly different than that of the medical story because the mental health staff are forced to care, in a sense. The problem lies in the fact that corrections officers are superior to them and for this reason they demonstrate a very low level of compassion either way for the mentally ill. Instead, the mental health staff, like the medical staff, adopt the nefarious ways of most correctional staff and take part in doing corrections and custody jobs instead of their own. Undoubtedly, these first two stories are as interesting as the next story you are about to read. Calvin College: Calvin College is a program that both discriminate and segregate prisoners from each other. While Calvin College is nothing more than a college, it has been pre-destine for an elite group of prisoners who are no more special or unique than anyone else, nor do they have anything any other prisoners does not have or can have except maybe additional time (incarceration). The Warden favorites this college over various prisoners and in some cases his own staff (according to his own staff). The Calvin College prisoners have more privileges than most other prisoners, including the mentally ill despite the provisions as set forth under the ADA Title II which prohibits such. Despite this warden's attempt to do something good, his blatant disregard for fairness overshadows these attempts. For example, when corrections officers writes a misconduct on a "Calvin College" student, the warden himself reviews them, makes a determination and in most cases dismisses and/or reduces the misconduct down so that the students will not make Calvin College look bad (according to correctional staff) (numerous staff alleges that anyone interested in determining the truth of this fact could simply check the misconduct docket/logs)). Prisoners not in Calvin College are not afforded this opportunity. Discrimination and segregation is a bad idea all the way around. But then, too, this is the MDOC. NOTE: Regarding Calvin College, some have suggested that there may be improper funding and/or the misuse of funds involved (according to MDOC staff). But who knows? This is a story you definitely want to hear. It's bi-partisan. Conclusion: In my humble opinion, and this is based upon running in and out of the MDOC for more than 31 years, there is very little good on either side within this "Devil's Heaven". For both correctional staff and prisoners, the MDOC is about money, however, it goes a tad bit farther for prisoners. For example, besides money, prisoners love drugs and this is one of their primary reasons for getting into the mental health treatment program to "Get high". Next, prisoner like guy on guy sex which is another reason for getting into the mental health program. Finally, because certain parts of the prison system are rough, the mental health program is a place of refuge for numerous prisoners, therefore, for prisoners, it is not just about money. It is also about sex, get high, drugs and safety. Shockingly, as well as rarely, you may find some staff that will indulge themselves in similar behaviors, however, not as extreme. This is still against MDOC policy. But no one, including MDOC staff really follows policy anyway. Individual staff members interpret policy in a manner that will fit their situations. The MDOC, in its entirety is a story you should want to hear. M.O.M. Example: Corrections cost tax payers roughly around $2 billion per year (largely by burdening the poor). It cost around $38,809.00 per year to house one prisoner. I was sentenced to 76 months to 300 months (this is $242,556.00 over this time period. 1/4 million dollars). I am a non-violent, mentally ill prisoner who is not eligible for any programming. Since my January 18, 2018 sentencing, I have been sitting in the MDOC's "mock" mental health warehouse and the only thing I have gain in this first 16 months is 50 pounds. I have also aged one year. However, we have $203,747.00 more dollars to go, maybe something will change. I most certainly could do much more productive things with a 1/4 million dollars besides sitting in a "mock" mental health prison warehouse. Couldn't you?
