During the interview, Fate discusses how he became involved in the lives of prisoners suffering from mental health conditions, many of whom were veterans, in an effort to make sure they didn’t die in prison. He describes how he was absolutely not the right person for the job.
In fact, Fate would go on to say that no one was right for the job because these people should not have been in prison in the first place. Fate then offered statistics about the problem of mental health incarcerations not just in his state, or even just the United States, but around the world. Beginning with the U.S. prison system, Fate explains that one of every five people incarcerated has a mental health problem.
Fate explains just how important that is by going on to explain that, “25 percent of children that one parent is suffering from mental illness may end up incarcerated and that person will suffer from, basically, post-traumatic stress, because they have a parent in prison.” Fate believes it’s a ripple effect that spreads out to the families and the communities when mental health issues send people to prison rather than getting them the help they require and families, friends, employers, and communities are left living with the stigma attached to incarceration.
Lefford explains that one of the problems is that well-intentioned people often, like judges, view prison as a means for people in need of care and treatment to receive the mental health treatment they require. Unfortunately, the reality is something different. Prisons are notoriously understaffed and the prisoners there underserved. Many of these mentally ill prisoners receiving marks against them that extend their terms while still failing to get the help they need.
Learn more about the opportunities that are changing the way the justice system is adapting to address the issue of mental health among prisoners and veterans and what Lefford Fate suggests needs to be done to make things better by tuning in to the full interview available on iTunes, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and the Business Innovators Radio Network.
His book, “Correcting Corrections” can be purchased on Amazon
About Lefford Fate
Professionally I’ve led, mentored, and served thousands of military members and their families during my 30 years in the United States Air Force. Since retiring from the military, I have been the program director for the geriatric outpatient mental health program, deputy Director for Health Services, SC Department of Corrections, and now the Director Support Services, City of Sumter.
I am a husband, father, and grandfather, so I know it is not always easy to juggle our list of daily responsibilities. This makes it all the more important to have a structured, practical plan in place to avoid becoming overwhelmed. I hold a Master’s Degree in Human Relations and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology. Modeling the core values of Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all I do.
I believe there is a “why” for everyone; that each of us was created with the potential to achieve greatness, to make a difference in the world, to add value to others, and as a result, experience a full and rewarding life. For over 30 years, my purpose was to defend our nation, and now that purpose is helping people discover their life’s purpose and grow to their full potential.
Learn More: http://www.leffordfate.com