When the Mentally Ill Come Home from Prison

Posted Monday, April 27, 2009

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When the mentally ill leave prison, they're typically given a bus ticket, $75, and two weeks worth of medication. This year will bring the largest prison exodus in our nation's history: About 700,000 inmates will be released, half of whom have some degree of mental illness. These facts are the starting place of the upcoming Frontline documentary The Released, which was shot in Cleveland, Canton, Columbus and some of Ohio's prisons. On our program, we'll hear from the Frontline producers and from local service providers who are trying to keep the mentally ill former inmates from returning.

Guests

Karen O’Connor, Producer, FRONTLINE
Miri Navasky, Producer, FRONTLINE
Jonathan Lee, Founder & CEO, Signature Health
Dr. James Rodio, Psychiatrist, Recovery Resources
Elizabeth Kelley, Criminal Defense Attorney