Prison Illness?

In the old days if you acted crazy and got picked up by the police, they would have took you to an asylum. Now you go straight to jail. Here in the United States 1/5 of the prison population suffers from some kind of mental illness. Are jails the new dumping grounds for the mentally ill? Why are we not helping them, is it fair to throw them in jail if they can’t control there actions? Mentally ill prisoners would be better off in a hospital. They get the same medication in jails that they would receive if they where in a hospital. The staff that are working with in the jails are just as good or even better in a hospital. So whats the problem? I think it is the environment that they are placed in. Some people have problems and will do things they shouldn’t, they can’t control themselves. Being in jail and having mental problem might even make them worst. Imagine being trapped in a small box with no way out your mind is unstable you are trapped with your demons. We as humans need to help each other, we are smart and know right from wrong.
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 E.G.B