tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post31009896177544323..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Corrections Committee: Expand rehabilitation and education programs at TDCJGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27967128829931061902015-01-18T16:03:19.084-06:002015-01-18T16:03:19.084-06:00To add to my previous comment - I recently learned...To add to my previous comment - I recently learned that the only medications available to a person who suffers from Bipolar Disorder with severe psychotic features are Thorazine and Risperdal. Both of these can cause significant side effects and this particular person cannot take either of these. But, they are cheap. Now, I've been told that the doctor (more like a nurse practitioner usually) can prescribe medications that are not on their formulary - but in reality they will not. Therefore, this person who suffers from a serious mental illness is not on any medication at this time. Eventually, this person will cycle back into a psychotic episode which the correctional staff will have to deal with. If this is a model for other states....................<br /><br />I've contacted the medical liaison and the omsbudsmans office and have not gotten any assistance from either. TDJC badly needs an independent oversight entity and I hope that any legislature that reads this will give this idea serious consideration. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-75115555676280562652015-01-18T15:02:57.823-06:002015-01-18T15:02:57.823-06:00Brad Livingston's comments about treatment for...Brad Livingston's comments about treatment for the mentally ill in Texas prisons being a model for other states is deeply disturbing. Either Mr. Livingston has no idea how inadequate mental health treatment is in Texas prisons or was simply lying to the legislature. If he, as the head of the agency, cannot recognize this problem, there's not much hope that progress will be made. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com