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Former Washington Post reporter Pete Earley had written extensively about the criminal justice system. But it was only when his own son-in the throes of a manic episode-broke into a neighbor's house that he learned what happens to mentally ill people who break a law.
This is the Earley family's compelling story, a troubling look at bureaucratic apathy and the countless thousands who suffer confinement instead of care, brutal conditions instead of treatment, in the "revolving doors" between hospital and jail. With mass deinstitutionalization, large numbers of state mental patients are homeless or in jail-an experience little better than the horrors of a century ago. Earley takes us directly into that experience-and into that of a father and award-winning journalist trying to fight for a better way.
RunTime: 12 hrs, 1 CD. * Mp3 CD Format *. Pete Earley had no idea. He'd been a journalist for over thirty years, and the author of several award-winning---even bestselling---nonfiction books about crime and punishment and society. Yet he'd always been on the outside looking in. He had no idea what it was like to be on the inside looking out until his son, Mike, was declared mentally ill, and Earley was thrown headlong into the maze of contradictions, disparities, and catch-22s that is America's mental health system." "Crazy" is a godsend. It will open the minds of many who make choices for the mentally ill. Countless numbers of us owe Pete Earley and his son, Mike, a great debt."---Patty Duke
Butterblume
Posted Sun Dec 18 00:00:00 EST 2011
I just finished reading his book. It took me a few months to get up the strength to do it. Having read a few books about this difficult subject I knew this would not be an uplifting, easy read. This was a very good reminder why I am fighting so hard and why I need to keep fighting for my son until the day I die. I tell myself quit whining, this is the new normal. I¿m always asking myself what will be my next goal to help my son; unfortunately no one is really available to consult. Yes, a lot of people think they know better and hand out advice, but they are not there when the tough decisions have to be made, these are almost always made alone in the dark. This book is a great reminder not to give up. Wishing everyone reading this that they will never, never have to personally experience the frustration, heplessness, anger and exhaustion in dealing with a system that is stacked against the seriously mentally ill.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Jul 16 00:00:00 EDT 2007
Having worked within the mental health system for years, I found this book interesting, but also, unfortunately, just a confirmation of what I have been watching throughout my career. Our system is very broken! A review on the back cover of the book indicates that this is a great book for families 'of seriously mentally ill people' to read - but the reality is that, while they may find the book interesting, they aren't the ones who need to read it - they live it every day. It's our lawmakers and 'human rights advocates' who need to read it, as they are who can influence the changes that need to be made.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Pete Earley has written a frighteningly accurate account of how the mentally ill are treated in our society. As someone in the field, I found it accurate and overwhelmingly sad. Not only are the rights and care of those with mental illness really not being provided for, neither are those of the average citizen to be safe from those with mental illness and violent tendencies. It's a lose-lose for all of us. Loved the book even though it's heartbreaking.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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11837873
Posted Sun Apr 24 00:00:00 EDT 2011
very personal look at not only our system of dealing with mental illness in America, but how it affects a family. Nobody should ever have to know the pain associated with these illnesses, and the sadness that comes with the process of attempting to parent through it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LindaKE
Posted Tue Oct 20 00:00:00 EDT 2009
This book describes the difficulties that many people with mental illness have. It details the challenge that some mentally ill people experience with the criminal justice system. Our criminal justice system does not always have adequate facilities and treatment for the many often untreated mentally ill who end up arrested and charged with crimes. Sometimes the mental illness prevent good judgement or even awareness of how the event breaks the law. As a mental health professional who is involved with a local jail I found it described our local situation at least in part.
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Posted Sat Jan 27 00:00:00 EST 2007
This book is so well written, so interesting, and such an inspiring yet, angering book. A look into the criminalization of the mentally ill should get anyone and everyone thinking about how we treat those that are suffering. Great job Mr. Earley, I plan on reading more of your books!
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Posted Thu Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 2006
This book is well written and very informative. If you work with the mentally ill or want to learn more about the mental heatlh system this is the book to read. This is a great book for someone who is just learning about mental health and those who already know something.
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Posted Sat Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2006
I absolutely loved this book. I only stopped reading it when I slept and was at work (even then I sneaked a chapter in). If you're interested in Mental Illiness as much as I am, you'll love this.
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Overview
Former Washington Post reporter Pete Earley had written extensively about the criminal justice system. But it was only when his own son-in the throes of a manic episode-broke into a neighbor's house that he learned what happens to mentally ill people who break a law.
This is the Earley family's compelling story, a troubling look at bureaucratic apathy and the countless thousands who suffer confinement instead of care, brutal conditions instead of treatment, in the "revolving ...