Is There Justice Imprisoning The Mentally Disturbed?

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin's quote is simple, deep, and everlasting in this world. Injustice everywhere like in a story that began with a man that told the police that he had been abducted with his mother and a friend however, the authorities noticed something "strange" with the subject and several days later the individual confessed that he had buried his mother in the backyard of their home.

The woman was 94 years old, she was bedridden and her son allegedly found her "cold and with her eyes open on the bed". The lady, supposedly in life, had asked her son to bury her at home and he did it.

Let's see in detail some of the facts known by neighbors, the news and photos before I write what "justice" did:

1. The man loved his mother very much. He was the only one who took care of her during her last years.
2. He had built a fortress of zinc to protect her from bullets that could be generated by shootouts on the street.
3. The community did not have complaints of them.
4. Presumably he was a veteran.
5. She was a founder of the church located two houses away from their home.

The prosecutor, Lorna Colon, submitted two charges against the man for giving false information to the authorities and obstructing justice.

The man was described as a threat to the community for drug use and for the pattern of providing false information. "He shouldn't be in the free community," said Lorna Colon.

Was the fact considered that the man loved his mother very much and that he was the only one who took care of her during her last years? Have you ever taken care of a sick person? Even "normal" people get tired, frustrated and need someone to replace them for at least a time to recharge personal energy. That doesn't mean "egoist", it means "human nature".

Was the fact considered that if he was a protector instead of a threat? Would he have erected a fortress to prevent bullets to harm her?

Was it considered that the community did not have complaints of him before taking away his freedom?

If he was a veteran...acting mentally disturbed...wouldn't it be justified the necessity of mental health care?

Why was this man the only person attending this lady? Wasn't she one of the founders of the church two houses away from their home?

How could The Department of The Family act quickly when a child needs "help" (this is also questionable); aren't they responsible also for elderly bedridden?

A person who is mentally disturbed will present a significant behavioral or psychological syndrome characterized by the presence of distressing symptoms, impairment of functioning, or significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, or other disabilities.

These patients need treatments to help them gain an individual level of independence and quality of life possible, for an adequate improvement in their functioning for their benefit as well as other's around them.

Do prisons provide for the stability of these people? Is there justice in imprisoning the mentally disturbed?

There is so much deepness in this whole story that could be called a tragedy!

I want to suggest that in order to provide justice to a mentally disturbed person, before an accusation, that they be provided with a physical, emotional, social and spiritual help.

The help should consist in a real team such as: physicians, internists, specialists, critical care nurses, rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, social workers and chaplains, psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, case managers, and others depending on the individual needs.

The video below provides good advice on self control. Let's all begin controlling ourselves to prevent a mental disturbed condition. Proverbs 25:28 says:"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."

Micah 7:9 says: "I will bear indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until he pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness."

God bless us all!

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill