Speak up and pay dearly

Thank you for including the issue of treatment of the mentally ill in Iowa's prisons among the issues that continue to cry out for oversight by the legislators ("Pigheaded," Dec. 29). I recently had a conversation with Dr. O'Brien, medical director for the Department of Corrections, regarding whether suicide attempts by prisoners should be seen as a disciplinary issue or a mental health problem. He said that only a small percentage of people who slit their wrists die because the blood vessels are small in that area, thus it takes a long time to bleed to death, so it isn't seen as a serious suicide attempt. Thus, a person who slits his or her wrists is taken before the administrative law judge and charged with "disruptive behavior" and sentenced to time in lock up. It seems to me that there is definitely an underlying mental health problem that needs to be addressed by mental health staff.

In the past few months, four or five prisoners at Fort Madison who have attempted suicide by various methods and have been taken before the administrative law judge have contacted me. The assumption by the staff is that they are individuals seeking attention. Both William Angrick of the Iowa Ombudsman Office and Dr. White, the National Consultant brought in to the mental health care in Iowa's prison system, warned of failure to take suicide attempts seriously. Angrick is quoted as saying the prison staff sometimes is too quick to assume that strange behavior is intentional attempts to gain special treatment. "The unfortunate result is under diagnosis, which can lead to unfair punishment of prisoners whose unacceptable behavior is actually driven by their mental illness. Of course, the ultimate tragedy of over concern about malingering leads mental health staff to miss what would otherwise be clear signs of impending suicide."

I have spoken with prisoners in the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women and in the Iowa State Penitentiary who tell me that suicidal prisoners are afraid to tell staff when they are having suicidal thoughts because they know that if they do, they will have their clothes taken away from them and (replaced with a paper gown) be placed in isolation and be watched by a stranger. That is the last thing they need at a time when they are feeling desperate. At the penitentiary the suicide cell is glass and is in full view of anyone stepping off the elevator and into the pod, giving the person the feeling of being put on display. Dr. White has said something must be done to give the suicidal prisoner more privacy, but the Iowa DOC says it can't do so due to security concerns.

Those in the field of mental health need to be brought in to work with the Iowa Department of Corrections and legislators in coming up with solutions to develop programs to help those who are mentally ill and have become involved with the criminal justice system.

Jean Basinger,
Chair, Justice Reform Consortium

The city's changing face

Kent Carlson's Guest Editorial in your Jan. 5 issue ("Urban renewal versus urban legend") correctly recounts the issues faced by Mark Kline in redeveloping the old Younker's warehouse into the Brown-Camp Lofts. Pioneers never have an easy road to travel. Brown-Camp was no exception. Mark was the one to educate city officials, lenders and business leaders on the basics of residential redevelopment. Everyone agreed it was a great idea but no one wanted to risk going out on a limb. Local lenders listened politely to Mark's presentations to their loan committees. In the end it was an out-of-state bank that provided the construction financing. City departments were confused on how to apply building codes written for new construction to the adaptive reuse of an old warehouse. Sometimes their efforts resulted in absurd requirements at huge expense to the developer. Through out the process Mark and his family maintained their optimism and good nature. Time has proved them right. Des Moines is now awash with new residential developments downtown. And those that are redevelopments of existing commercial buildings owe a debt to Mark for fighting the first battles. Time will tell if our market can absorb the number of new units coming on line. Regardless, Des Moines has now moved ahead with other cities around the country to repopulate its downtown core. The face of this city has changed for the foreseeable future and we have the Kline family to thank for that.

Eric Burmeister
Des Moines

Taking on the tough topics

Thank you for this excellent report on the government's waste of time spying on peace activists ("I'm watching you," Jan. 12). The quotes, the details, the feelings expressed were right on target. I commend you for reporting what many might consider a sensitive and controversial topic. I have noted important articles you have carried in the past but haven't taken the time to comment. But this time, you needed to hear that people appreciate what you do. Thanks again, and keep up the good reporting.

Brian Carter
Des Moines

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