Ep 13. The New Asylums

In season 23 episode 13 of Frontline, titled "The New Asylums," the show explores the shift in mental healthcare in the United States from institutions to prisons. The episode focuses on the stories of several individuals with mental illnesses who have been incarcerated, often for minor offenses, due to their lack of access to proper healthcare and treatment.

Frontline investigates the aftermath of the shuttering of state psychiatric hospitals in the 1970s, which led to the mass incarceration of those with severe mental illnesses in prisons and jails across the country. The episode examines the devastating consequences of this trend, including an increase in homelessness, substance abuse, and violence.

Viewers will hear from former inmates, mental health professionals, and advocates who argue that incarceration is not an appropriate solution for those with mental illnesses. Meanwhile, lawmakers and prison officials defend their actions, citing the lack of funding and resources for mental healthcare outside of the criminal justice system.

Throughout the episode, Frontline also shines a light on programs that are working to divert people with mental illnesses from prisons and into treatment. The show visits mental health courts, crisis intervention teams, and other programs that offer alternatives to incarceration, and highlights their successes and challenges.

Ultimately, "The New Asylums" asks tough questions about the state of mental healthcare in America and calls for a renewed commitment to treating those with mental illnesses with compassion and dignity.