SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVIST GROUP “RIGHTS FOR IMPRISONED PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES” (RIPPD) WILL BE HOLDING A RALLY ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL TO PROTEST THE LACK OF SERVICES INMATES WITH MENTAL ILLNESSS RECEIVE WHEN RELEASED FROM RIKERS ISLAND

Contact: Lisa Ortega at 646-602-5664
April 15, 2005

On Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 11:00 am, a grassroots, social justice organization made up of former prisoners with mental illness and family members will hold a rally on the steps of City Hall to show their outrage at the current system that continues to release inmates with mental illness from Rikers Island without proper discharge planning.

RIPPD members know from firsthand experience that discharge planning is crucial for a person with mental illness who is released from jail or prison. Mental health consumers who leave jail without medication and a way to pay for it, a plan for receiving continued mental health treatment, a place to stay, and money for food and clothing have little hope of establishing a healthy, productive life.

The Brad H. settlement was intended to address this issue by making sure that consumers receive follow up mental health care, medications and prescriptions, benefits such as Medicaid and Public Assistance, housing, and transportation. However, the City is not following through with its commitment to provide these services.

RIPPD member Mayra Cruz recalls that she was not seen by a discharge planner until the Urban Justice Center became involved. Even then her discharge plan which was thrown together two days before her release was not adequate. “I went to the shelter on the day of my release, and there was no bed available for me. I found myself without money or mental health services and was basically homeless,” reports Ms. Cruz.

Sal DeMarco, another RIPPD member, saw his nephew suffer without discharge planning. “My nephew was released without Medicaid. He had no way to pay for his medication. He had no place to receive treatment for his mental illness. They simply released him.”

Ellen Logan, RIPPD member, explains the need for discharge planning this way: “When people leave those jails, they have no direction and wind up sleeping on park benches and subways. Some turn to drugs as some comfort. Then the cycle starts all over again. They come out homeless, medication-less, and penniless. The only way to survive is to beg, borrow, or steal.”