At the state prison in New Hampshire, men and women with severe mental illness, may of whom have never even committed a crime, are being locked behind bars, given inmate numbers and uniforms, and commingled among other inmates.

They are subject to the rules and policies of the state Department of Corrections and managed by corrections officers at a prison psych unit with no license, no accreditation and no oversight by any state agency.

How did this happen? What is being done to end this practice? And does what's happening in New Hampshire exemplify the failures of the entire country when it comes to the treatment of the mentally ill?

To answer these questions, and more, Wanda Duryea and Beatrice Coulter, co-founders of Advocates for Ethical Mental Health Treatment,  join Isidoro Rodriguez for a conversation On the New Hampshire Secure Psychiatric Unit.

Definitions:

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness, an alliance of more than 600 local affiliates who work in communitie to raise awareness and provide support and education on mental health and illness.

DHHS- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

IMD Exclusion- A discriminatory federal rule that prohibits federal Medicaid reimbursement to states for adult patients receiving mental health or substance abuse care in a psychiatric or substance abuse treatment facility with more than 16 beds.

CMS- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services,

CMS Rules- Establish or modify the way CMS administers its programs. CMS' regulations may impact providers or suppliers of services or the individuals enrolled or entitled to benefits under CMS programs

(This episode was originally recorded on August 8th, 2022)

Sex work remains illegal across the United States, save for seven rural counties in Nevada, and the debate over the rights of sex workers remains a hot button issue. Those who stand against legitimate sex work often believe that to do anything else would mean openning the door to the gross sex trafficking of innocents, but does one really precipitate the other? Plus, does policing consensual sex work accomplish anything or does it really just expose more women to worse legitimate violations? 

To answer these questions, and others, Ariela Moscowitz, Director of Communications for Decriminalize Sex Work,  joins Isidoro Rodriguez for a conversation On Sex Work.

(This episode was originally recorded July 29, 2022)

Honest. Critical. Questioning. TCR's Deputy Editor, Isidoro Rodriguez,  welcomes you to join him as he examines the complexities of the American criminal justice system, bringing you the information you need from the people who know the most. Stay tuned!