In appreciation of Social Workers all around the world, Social Working Together is the place for information, inspiration and timely discussion in the amazing field of Social Work.
I recently came across the case of 15 year old Bresha Meadows, the Ohio girl accused of killing her father last July. Bresha's case received international attention after she shot her father, whom multiple family members describe as an extremely violent man who abused his wife and their children for years. After spending the last ten months in jail, Bresha accepted a plea deal today that will allow her to be transferred to a mental health facility, avoid further jail time and be eligible for release early next year.
In too many cases, victims of domestic violence are punished for defending themselves and there are scores
of women currently serving long sentences for killing their abusers. Many women who kill their abusive partners fear for their lives on a daily basis and retaliate in a last-ditch effort to save themselves or their children. Bresha's mother Brandi, recalled years of abuse witnessed by her children and the fear that one day her husband would kill them all:
"In the 17 years of our marriage, he has cut me, broke my ribs, fingers, the blood vessels in my hand, my mouth, blackened my eyes. I believe my nose was broken," Brandi Meadows wrote. "If he finds us, I am 100 percent syre he will kill me and the children. My life is like living in a box he created for me and if I stepped out of that box he was there to put me back in." ~ Bresha's Mother, Brandi Meadows
Statistics show that an overwhelming majority of girls in the criminal justice system are exposed to, or victims of family violence, whether physical or sexual in nature. These girls are then left with mental health issues that often go untreated, perpetuating a cycle of victimization, substance use and imprisonment that follows them into adulthood. Its a well known fact that childhood abuse begins a pathway that can lead to violence and incarceration and Bresha's case highlights an extreme example of the outcomes these girls could be facing.
Bresha's case also highlights the need for trauma-informed responses to "criminal" behaviors like running away and other coping mechanisms abused girls employ. Our first response for these girls should not be arrest and incarceration, but interventions that begin to heal the wounds they are living with. Although Bresha will be going home soon, she will no doubt require intensive therapy and support as she begins to restart her life. It's up to us to make sure that these girls receive the support they need as they attempt to undo the effects of the trauma they have experienced.
Its interesting how neighborhoods change. In many cities, if you've lived there long enough, you may notice some of the changes yourself; how neighborhoods increase and decrease in value; how populations change over time and how an entire community seems to change over night.
Over the last few decades, many American cities have gone through periods of "revitalization" or "urban renewal" causing neighborhoods to rapidly increase in value, drawing in more affluent residents and changing the community makeup. Neighborhoods in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia have become nationally known for their rapid changes in demographics, as formerly low-income neighborhoods change to meet the needs of newcomers.
With the expansion of the University of Pennsylvania in the 1950's, many communities in West Philadelphia were changed forever as Penn made way for an influx of students and faculty and expanded into the surrounding communities. Its widely known that the University and others employed practices that led to the demolition of neighborhoods which were then rebuilt around the school's campus to fit their needs.
The neighborhood surrounding Temple University in North Philadelphia has also changed as the University expands into the area. Like Penn, Temple's campus is situated in the heart of an impoverished area, its massive buildings looming over residents who do not always appreciate its presence. Even now, Temple is facing harsh criticism for their plans to build a new $126M football Stadium, to be located basically in the backyard of several blocks of residential streets. The proposed 35,000 seat stadium is seen by many as yet another encroachment into the community; an area where a football stadium for a bunch of college kids is the least of residents' concerns.
Of course, there are some benefits to the community when a neighborhood is revitalized and those who are able to stay can take advantage of an influx of new and improved services. In both Penn and Temple's case, the Universities have invested millions in their surrounding communities over the years, providing programs and services to residents. Investments in security have made neighborhoods safer and both schools have provided assistance to residents through education, employment and more.
However, to many, the cost of these benefits becomes too high when Universities and other entities use their power and money to reshape the neighborhood to fit their agenda. Memories of systematic demolitions and broken promises have understandably led to distrust of those in power. Many long-time residents fear eventual displacement and resent the intrusion regardless of the perks.
No one would say that neighborhood change is inherently evil and in fact it can be a good thing if its done respectfully and transparently, in ways that benefit residents new and old. However, issues of race, class and power are often at the center of the debate and drown out the positives associated with change.
How do you feel about gentrification? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? How is this affected by race and class?
Over the years, I had heard only bits and pieces about the Angola 3; Robert King, Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox; three Louisiana men who were serving time for a robbery when they were convicted of murdering a prison guard in April of 1972. It wasn't until just recently that the case came back to my attention, when Mr. Woodfox was released last week after serving the longest sentence in solitary confinement in US history.
Solitary confinement is a pretty self-explanatory term; "serious, predatory" offenders, are confined to a cell alone, for 22-24 hours per day, usually in an effort to protect the safety of themselves and others. Prisoners who are considered to be at risk for violence (e.g. pedophiles, witnesses, children, etc) are also kept in isolation as well as prisoners, like the A3, who were "suspected of organizing illegal activities" inside prison walls. The punishment was initially intended to allow prisoners to "reflect on their misdeeds and draw closer to God" through isolation and seclusion from others.
After their conviction in 1972, this was the fate of the Angola 3, who were kept in seclusion for fear that they would organize an uprising in the prison and spread "Black Pantherism" among the other inmates. All three men were sent to solitary in 1972, King for 29 years before he was released, Wallace for 40 years until his release in 2013 and Woodfox, serving 43 of his 45 year sentence in isolation until his release on February 19.
I won't even discuss the fact that Mr. Woodfox's case was overturned three times, how the prosecution's witnesses were discredited, how evidence was lost and racial discrimination was rampant throughout the trial. I was more intrigued by the impact that spending that much time alone can have on a person's psyche and how Mr. Woodfox and the others seem to have emerged with their faculties intact. Its interesting that I didn't really think of keeping someone alone as a form of torture until I learned about the effect it has on people over the course of time.
Prisoners who have spent time in solitary describe it as "spirit-killing," "mind-altering," saying that "people come in with a few minor problems and leave as sociopaths." Many prisoners report that it only takes a few days for some to begin having hallucinations, talking to themselves and displaying early signs of psychosis such as paranoia, disorganized speech and bizarre behavior. Mr. Woodfox says he was able to survive only through reading and trying to stay connected to the outside world, but still suffered severe panic attacks, hallucinations and insomnia for much of his time there.
Research shows that prolonged periods of seclusion can lead to a condition called "isolation panic"- with symptoms such as severe anxiety, insomnia, aggression, depression, delusions and self-harm. The psychological effects of forced seclusion are often irreversible and can present themselves in as little as 15 days. This punishment is especially harmful to those already dealing with mental illness, as being placed in isolation exacerbates their conditions and limits access to medical and mental health care.
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I've read that the goal of isolation is to keep prisoners and guards safe from the most aggressive inmates, but it seems that prolonged isolation from others actually contributes to the high rates of recidivism among those who spend time there. Many of those held in "super max" prisons need to be "re-socialized" before they can be released into society, and rates of recidivism among this group are as high as 20% in some states.
We don't have to debate the fact that people who commit crimes deserve to be punished. I get it. But, where are the limits? Since we know human beings are social creatures what is the real goal here? Are we trying to break people's minds? Are we punishing them for their crimes by slowly driving them insane using methods we know for sure will work? It just doesn't seem right.
So after 45 years, Mr. Woodfox is finally free. Finally out of the 6x9 box he has spent the last half-century of his life in. As I said, I'm not here to debate his guilt or innocence, I'm just amazed that he survived this long in a room by himself and a little shocked that our system of justice relies on a form of psychological torture as punishment.
How do you feel about it? Find out more about it here and let me know what you think.
