What's wrong with this picture?

A homeless mentally ill person that is nonviolent and gentle will be left to die on the streets. A mentally ill person that commits criminal acts will be housed, fed, and doctored if possible. What is wrong with that? Everything.

Everything..

I agree with you.

Agreed, very true.

It's so sad

On the other hand, at least here in Canada, the person that was put in jail is there for the purpose of protecting the public. The person on the street is free to be there, unless they do something criminal or something to get sectioned. So it's quite understandable.

Maybe your point is you think there should be more help for such people. I know the help for the homeless here in Vancouver is in quite disarray and hard to use. Paragraph 38 of this court decision about the many tents in one of the city parks alludes to this need for streamlining - believe me, a lot more was said in the court that day:

https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/do...?resultIndex=1

Shelter services appear to be difficult to access, which is then further draining to the energy of the people who need it. This needs to get organized. There are so many things like this that would need to be done to help people, but who makes it a priority? The kinds of complex problems individuals face are also described in the many little portraits of people in that court decision of homeless people who gave evidence.

True, but here in the US, if you fly under the radar, you go unnoticed.- and die that way Sure we have programs to help, but how many really go there? Not many. This is America where the mighty dollar spins it round and round.

Now if I, as a homeless MI would go commit a crime, say robbery... 3 hots and a cot is guaranteed, plus schooling, free medical and dental. Guess what I'm going to do. Hold up a store with a fake rubber gun.

I think I'd prefer to be homeless but that's just me.

Lol @ George H

Seriously, I could not handle being locked up. They'll never take me alive. I do get the point though. I'm not sure I would have used mentally ill people who commit criminal acts as the contrast though. The mentally ill get enough stigmatizing w/o getting it here too.

I don't think your scenario makes sense. The first person is introduced as homeless, so there's already no possible way he can be housed under your example of comparing homeless people to violent offenders.

I agree with George. I believe I'd rather be homeless than locked up in jail. I would at least still have my freedom.

I used to work at a homeless shelter for families. The adults complained that living there was like being in jail because they were expected to follow the rules of the shelter. They got three hots and a cot for the entire family along with a free education for the kids, GED classes for the adults if they needed it, job training for the adults, life skills training for the adults and medical care.

AlwaysChanging2, I agree that there is inequity in a mentally ill homeless person receiving little/no help and a mentally ill person who commits a crime receiving three hots and a cot. How do you propose we solve the problem? Do we only provide assistance to those who are homeless who are also mentally ill? How is that fair?

Agreed

Yip

True

This is a gross exaggeration, living incarcerated isn't as glamorous as you think and most of the people behind bars would gladly die on the street instead of rotting away.

Also, not everyone behind bars is a dirtbag like you guys may think, most are there because they have the same mental issues you do, but never had anyone to support them.

I don't know how stupid someone has to be to actually believe that going to jail is a good way to get a degree. A sentence follows you even after you get out, good luck getting a job when you are free.

Btw, the "free medical and mental health care" when someone is locked up is pretty much no medical and mental health care. Do you have any idea how many people with diabetes die in prison every year because they never get their insulin?

I never said it was glamorous. I was locked up in county for a while and I was getting dental care and everyone got their meds. It all depends where you're at.

We live in such a backwards world....

People would rather punish and ensure justice than help and ensure opportunity. We're a selectively moral and empathetic species. Ask anyone who "doesn't believe in violence" and who "values life" what they'd like to do to sex offenders, or anyone involved in protesting eating this cute animal or testing on that one where their meat comes from.

I personally think as a society that more focus should be given to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, in stead of them fat cats that get million dollar bonuses for finding tax loopholes and tax breaks to line their pockets.

I've got nothing against making a profit because profit is good, but it should be a flat tax across the board.

It's so complicated, I just wish the attention given to our criminals was double folded for the less than fortunate. :'(

For instance, look at our homeless veterans! They gave part of their lives for our country, and most went neglected for so long till recent. I know we hate taxes, but their should be some set aside for the lost society. I wish I can win the lotto to help these poor souls out.