The injustices has risen ++++ at mid-state correctional prison
4/20/11

The events and stories I bring to you are in no chronological order. I may bring them to you as they happen or past events. The one thing that I can assure you about any of my poems, songs, incarceration experiences, and stories that they are all true.

Mid-state Correctional Facility Marcy, New York is supposed to mainly house the mentally ill and unstable inmates. It's supposed to be rated one of the highest mental facilities in the area. Of course, this isn't true. Mental illnesses are rated 1-6. One being the lowest six being the highest. Levels 1&2 can be followed by an "S" which means severe. My rating is 1-S. (A different story). I met with my mental health counselor last week to discuss my health condition (mental). During the visit, she informed me that my mental health level could never go above a "2" rating. I know this is not true because since I've been here my rating was once at its highest level with my case being closed. With the disagreement between the mental counselor and I before departing of course I didn't sign the consent form. The first time I've done that in my entire incarceration period. Before leaving I explained to her my condition (paranoid schizophrenia) had been in remission for quite some time without medication. Her response was this condition can't go into remission. I explained to her I've done some studies on this illness and I have documentation that states differently. Well, Mr. Payne bring it with you next time. Which would be a month from that date. Yesterday I was seen by the head mental health counselor a nurse psychiatric practitioner. The basis of our conversation was why did I want my mental health level raised so badly? So I responded first I've shown no symptoms of mental health issues not being on medication second this lower status is standing in between me and my transfer. First mistake being honesty. With me, I had documentation concerning my disorder which my counselor required to see. I showed it to the nurse practitioner she looked at it briefly and said she could remember what I was specifying from her college training. I then started back to when my mental health level was at it's highest point and tried to get insight on how it reached it's lowest point. Something I should have done long ago. Even trying this I was only given brief details. All that justified for some odd reason my mental health status. Shouldn't and won't rise. After this conflicting conversation, the nurse stated one reason your level is so low is you're denying medication. Also, you're denying being sick. Furthermore, you're agitated. Oh no! Now the totally false justifications has begun. I stated how can I be denying being sick when I've brought you information concerning my illness? No response of course. Then I said I'm not refusing medications you took me off! Then she said do you want to go back on them? I said, "No for what?" She again stated the three reasons previously mentioned. I said no I don't want to go back on medications. Answering a question, not a request. She then said now you're refusing your medication. Smiling with a few short giggles as though she was enjoying this word game she was playing. I asked her if I'm so ill why haven't I seen a psychiatrist? Oh, I can see you! Still avoiding my question! The entire time you can see she was gaining pleasure through our entire session.
I feel obligated to bring these things to the public's attention not only because but because bias, immoral, hateful insensitive behavior happens on a regular basis. Not only this facility but others that I have visited! After leaving the nurse practitioner's office I began to think. I wonder how many thousands of inmates have received this type of diagnosis. Maybe even worse. Forced to take medications not needed. For people of that nature placed into those positions. Only means one thing this type of attitude is condonable! moreover even promoted. A privately owned organization called "The Correctional Association" does random inspections on various facilities receiving surveys from inmates concerning their outlook on certain conditions. Also certain records and input from staff. One of their findings was "The Office of Mental Health" staff should have better training. This is a mental facility which speaks for itself. Comments are welcomed. Horace Payne