In the United States, 2,193,798 people are incarcerated in federal, local, and local/county prisons. In local prisons, 64.2% of inmates have a mental illness, 56.2% in federal prisons, and 44.8% in state prisons. Most inmates could have avoided prison time if they had received help for their illness, but this did not happen and they still have to serve their sentences. Locked inmates suffer abuse on a daily basis from other inmates or even the officers in charge. They cannot help but have a disease and it is not fair that they should suffer a worse punishment than they have already had to suffer. They are tormented and the abuse does not improve their situation, the agitation can even worsen their condition and the treatment for their illness is of low quality, if any. Harsh punishments or even a longer sentence are given. Many people live their lives without knowing they have a mental illness. Some like anxiety and panic disorders are easily identifiable, others are not. If it isn't talked about, you would never know that the person was diagnosed with anything. Some commonly known illnesses would be: ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), PTS (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Autism, Depression, and Eating Disorders such as Bulimia and Anorexia. Lesser known illnesses include: SAD (seasonal affective disorder), schizophrenia, bipolar and personality disorders, anxiety and panic disorders. There is also an increase in dual diagnoses, where the person is diagnosed with both a mental disorder and substance abuse (alcohol and/or drugs with or without a prescription). An estimated 26.2% of the American population... middle of paper......n already is. Many jails and prisons do not have the funds to provide inmates with treatment for their mental illness, and what little they have barely makes a dent in the problem. Many who need medications cannot afford them. It is unfair and should be brought to the attention of the state to get help for these people. They are raped or bribed with things they want like coffee or snacks. They do not receive any special treatment even if it is a symptom. The guards treat them like any other inmate they are in prison with, but they are not normal people, they need special care and are not adequately cared for in prisons. They are treated terribly, but whether they are in prison or on the streets they are still judged, tormented, exploited and commit suicide. Those who cannot afford help live their entire lives in pain.