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The Forum > Article Comments > Banged up without rights > Comments

Banged up without rights : Comments

By Greg Barns, published 22/11/2006

Which political party will deal with Victoria’s most pressing crisis - mental illness in its prisons?

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The Howard Government has already chipped in. It cut health funding to mthe States by nearly a billion dollars in 2004. What more could you ask for, take funding away, so in net terms even with G.S.T. funding State governments are barely making ends meet.

Perhaps if Victorians were to elect a Liberal State government this may change, however if that were to occur the victimisation of the remaining States would become very clear indeed.
Posted by SHONGA, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 11:23:44 AM
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There is possibly something that can be done about not only prisoners with mental health issues, but those in general with mental health problems. Look at choosing another party in Victoria next Saturday. People Power is beginning to look good, especially since it's policies are based on human concern rather than big business. Take the time to read their policies and make an informed contribution to the way Victorians live, both those with and without mental illness. And no, I'm not a candidate or even a member of People Power. It's also interesting to note that both major parties in Victoria are giving PP their 2nd preferences over the Greens and Family First. The last thing we need in Victoria are green groups further erroding our way of life, or religious zelots from the pentacostal church making life on Earth hell for all who don't belong to their frightening ideas. I once heard someone speaking in tongues and it frightened me off religion for life. How scary to think Family First may one day be running the State or possibly the country?
Posted by Wildcat, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 11:39:26 AM
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Wildcat PP looks like a good option to me, both major parties are ruled by big business, at the cost of the individual and family.
Posted by SHONGA, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 11:57:25 AM
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Greg Barns hasn't made the case that this issue is the most important issue in Victoria. An important issue, yes - THE important issue, no. More important than the water supply, or education, or climate change? Really? Mental health is one of those policy areas where sensationalism does more harm than good.

Barns says, "Any political party that claims the moral high ground when it comes to looking after the most vulnerable in the community, cannot be taken seriously if it ignores the plight of the vast majority of prisoners in Victoria".

In instances where mentally ill people commit crimes it is effective in quarantining other vulnerable people, a point missed in Barns' quest for sensationalism. There is more to mental health treatment than limiting those afflicted from harming themselves and others - and while it is a shame on our community (not just in Victoria) that prisons provide effective facilities in this regard, questions of harm minimisation played too small a role in post-Richmond treatment systems.

There is more to the mental health issue than institutionalisation vs deinstitutionalisation. There has been for at least three decades. If you're going to wade into this issue, please show some sign of having moved beyond a stale duality of equally unacceptable options.

SHONGA - both Liberal and Labor governments have failed in mental health policy. The current Federal government has made an announcement but there's not a lot happening on the ground as yet.
Posted by AndrewElder, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 2:23:19 PM
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It is tragic to see so many with mental health issues in prison. What is more tragic is policies such as the Greens of legalising the drugs that send a lot of these people off their rocker. The more widespread the use of drugs the more mental health issues we will have. Having a mental illness does not stop people from being violent and at times needing to be locked away.
Posted by runner, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 5:19:44 PM
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Yep, the fact that the police are first port of call for managing mentally ill people is a shame. If you beleive the Beyond Blue advertisements 1 in 5 people suffer from mental illness at some time in their lives. Not every one needs to be institutionalised of course but there is no support for any one who can't cope.

I remember the phone call we received on Boxing Day one year. The young tenant had broken all the windows in the property after being left alone on Christmas Day. The policeman took 45 minutes to explain the tenant's case history and ask if we had his parent's contact details. Good thing the policeman explained the tenant's background because our first instinct was to high tail around there and boot him out.

The policeman told us the tenant was being tormented by the neighbours' kids.

Where was a social worker?
Posted by billie, Wednesday, 22 November 2006 10:25:56 PM
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