A minimum security dorm-style warehouse has 8×6 cubes in 12 rows x 12 columns. The cube is completely open because the partitions of this living space only come up to your hip. The security cameras can see, the guards can see, and all the residents can see every cube. There is absolutely no privacy.
A 47-year-old woman gyrates in her cube to tunes no one can hear but her. She changes tempo and strips to her underwear. This turns into a dirty dancing routine. I’m praying for a guard to come by and stop the madness so she can get help. The guards come, but they walk by without a glance in her direction. Now, she’s tearing every piece of paper into bits and throwing it on her bed. Her dances are frenetic activity… touchdown gestures…pointing to the ceiling… gangster moves..acting out shooting a gun…repeat. Her voices tell her to get on the floor to fold and refold a rag. There’s quite a conversation going on with all the imaginary people in her head. She’s wearing herself out trying to be all the people in this group….jump there…move back..talk to someone over there…no over here.
The neighbors in adjoining cubes are numb to it. Or they’re tired of watching. Or are they afraid they might be next?
Last time they came to get her was awful. (Please see article *The most BRUTAL thing I’ve ever seen in Perryville*) But they brought her back after 72 hours, no counseling, no medication. This mentally ill person has 3 more years of incarceration. I’m trying to imagine what she’ll be like if, and when she gets out. Will she be like some women I see going to the gate, with the thousand-yard stare? A walking zombie? Will she kill herself like the woman did on Cruz recently?
This country doesn’t care about its most vulnerable citizens, and red states like Arizona care even less.