Incarcerated residents continue to suffer in silence as untreated trauma and mental health disorders go un-addressed.
The stigma that comes along with mental health disorders has long been a source of contention that males have especially mired in prison culture.
“Boys don’t cry” is a saying that has been part of many cultures for generations,’’ said San Quentin resident Antonio Alvarez. “When society tells our young boys in childhood that crying makes them weak, we are essentially telling them to bury their emotions and live in falsehood. Stigmatizing the expressing of one’s feelings can cause many to live in fear. This hinders individuals from opening up and being transparent.”
K. Byers is the son of E. Johnson, a formerly incarcerated woman. Ms. Johnson who admitted that she endured unimaginable childhood trauma said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She added that trauma has become generational in their situation.
“For years I’ve struggled with opening up about my childhood trauma and mental health” said K. Byers, an incarcerated resident.
“When I did get the courage to seek help I found myself limited on resources due to the lack of availability from psychiatrist on these level 4 prisons. I’m suffering alone.”
Half of the prison populations in the United States are parents of minor children under the age of 18 years old. According to the Sentencing Project, that means 626,000 fathers and 57,700 mothers are locked away.
Studies show that most incarcerated people come from backgrounds related to trauma. Parents that are incarcerated often leave their children in environments that cultivates trauma. Of the 1.2 million people incarcerated nationwide, 33% of them had an incarcerated parent, according to Prison Policy Initiative. That’s a staggering fact—and one that is often overlooked.
SQ resident Bobby Armendariz discussed his mother’s incarceration and how that affected his childhood. His mom went to prison for killing his father when he was 16 months, he noted always seeking nurture during his adolescence years.
“No one ever gave me a hug growing up,” said Armendariz. “I was looking to be nurtured by my parents but they were not there.”
Armendariz said he had to keep a secret and was fearful and embarrassed of people finding out his mother was in prison for killing his father. He mentioned his struggling relationship with his mother, noting that he was mad at his mom, but also fearful that she would abandon him if he expressed his dislike of what she did to his dad. On the other hand, he was mad at his father for not being there to protect him.
“If I had my dad in my life growing up, he would have been there to protect me and I wouldn’t have been alone,” Said Armendariz.
Armendariz understands that he exposed his daughter to the same hurt he endured as a child by getting incarcerated when she was just eight years old. This influenced him to gain the tools through parenting, anger management, communication, and other educational classes. Allowing him to be there for his daughter and grandchildren when given the opportunity again.
“My daughter and I don’t speak much but I will always be her SuperMan,” Armendariz said.
Studies continue to show that young adults whose parents were incarcerated before they were 17 years old, transition into adulthood sooner than their peers.
SQ resident Paris Pulley spoke on how growing up early physically, doesn’t necessarily equate to growing up mentally and emotionally.
“Just because the body grows does not mean the brain follows,” said Pulley. “We need help and resources. Our society has to stop putting profits over people if we want change.”
Graphics by Clark Gerhartsreiter
