MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
S2207 Nozzolio/A3926 Aubry

The New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYS) strongly urges you to support S.2207/A.3926. This legislation is commonly referred to as the "SHU" bill because it would ban the confinement of severely psychiatrically disabled inmates in solitary confinement settings called 'special housing units.' This legislation would create correctional facilities that provide for the treatment of inmates with psychiatric disabilities; increase training for correctional officers that enable them to safely and effectively interact with and identify inmates with mental illness; increase oversight of the treatment of prisoners with psychiatric disabilities and reduce state costs.

The incidence of serious mental illness among inmates within the state prison system has increased significantly in recent years. Currently, approximately 12% (8,000 inmates) of the prison population is affected by serious mental illness. Studies have shown that when this population is disciplined using solitary confinement, inmates engage in acts of self-mutilation and commit suicide at a rate three times higher than inmates in the general prison population

Under the current system correctional officers are often forced to use solitary confinement in order to maintain the safety and security of inmates and staff, but also use it as a form of punishment for prisoners. This legislation would provide the foundation upon which New York State can build the necessary program infrastructure, including staffing enhancements and training, needed to appropriately and adequately serve the treatment needs of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness currently incarcerated throughout New York State.

NASW-NYS strongly urges you to support S2207/A.3926 thereby treating prisoners with severe mental illness more humane, ensuring lower rates of recidivism and relapse when these prisoners are released from prison and will make prisons easier to manage and safer for staff and inmates.