Overcrowding in jails and prisons is a massive problem in the US. One major cause of this ongoing problem is that the system often places the mentally ill in jails, rather than placing them in mental health facilities.
In an article on Huffington Post entitled 'New Efforts Aim To Keep The Mentally Ill Out Of Jail', a 2009 study showed that "an estimated 2 million adults with serious mental illnesses are jailed in the course of a year. Studies, including one from the Urban Institute, say they tend to stay in jail longer than those without mental illnesses, return to jail more often and cost local jurisdictions more money while incarcerated. More frequently than not, they are jailed for minor offenses, such as trespassing, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace or illicit drug use."
That is the problem. But what is the solution?
Virginia Sollars believes the solution lies in making the public aware of the problem on a deeper level. As a psychiatric nurse working in the correctional system, Virginia journeyed inside the minds of the mentally ill. Her book, 'And Some Will Triumph, is a dramatic retelling of the heartbreaking situations she encountered every day. It is Virginia's fervent hope that her book will be made into a movie or television series. If she can accomplish that, it would shine a bright light on the problem and would enlighten the public as to the mind-boggling problems law enforcement must deal with on a daily basis.
"You may think the jail is full of criminals, but what if I told you that’s not true?" asked Sollars. "What if circumstances beyond the person’s control brought them to this enclosure? As a Correctional Psychiatric Nurse, I worked the triage desk at a large jail system in California for over two decades and I have decided to tell some of their stories."
Sollars' book, 'And Some Will Triumph', relates the journey of Elizabeth, a compassionate nurse who comes to California from New York with her teenage daughter to work at the fictional Raine Correctional Facility. "Elizabeth finds herself interacting with some of society’s most troubled and challenging inmates and shows how she must at times fight the system to give the best care to her patients. Elizabeth tells the stories of both the psychiatric inmates as well as the nurses who have problems in their lives as well. Since the book is based on my professional experience, it is an insider’s look into the minds of psychiatric inmates revealing their secrets, regrets, frustrations and hopes and how they cope with their life in jail. But my book is more than just the story. It explains the many mental health disorders in such a way that people without a medical background can understand, points out the broken mental health system and describes the reasons why the mentally ill are incarcerated."
"I believe my book has great potential for a television series or a movie," Sollars said, "My book is very informative, it is written in such a way that everyone will finally understand what is means to be burdened with a psychiatric disorder, how the thought process is so different from ours and how it sometimes leads to involvement with law enforcement. My book is so different from any undertaking that has been taken before, its potential is great and I think that people will be amazed at what I have to say. I just need the right people to believe in me to get the word out. I know my book can make a difference. "
Sollars' book has received rave reviews from readers. Kirkus Reviews said the book is ”. . . a remarkable timeline of the treatment of mental illness in the past 40 years, and it’s a triumphant account of her boldness as a mother, nurse, and woman. At a time when mental health is in the forefront of conversations about our health care system, her story is one of hope."
One reader stated, "Absolutely the best book I’ve read in years, uncensored look into correctional mental health, patients, inmates and the professionals who deal with some of society’s most troubled criminals, their day to day struggles all interwoven within a gripping story of murder and suspense. A must read!" Another said, "Awesome story! While the story keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next, the real plight of the mental health patients in a correctional setting is heartbreaking.”
Virginia Sollars is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at virginiasollars@yahoo.com. 'And Some Will Triumph' is available at online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.virginiasollars.net.
About Virginia Frusteri Sollars:
Virginia Frusteri Sollars was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and became a registered nurse in 1980, working as a psychiatric nurse for most of her career. She worked in the jail system for twenty-six years, caring for and treating the mentally ill. She continues to advocate for the mentally ill though her presentations and radio shows advising people of the plight of the mentally ill.
Contact:
Virginia Frusteri Sollars
virginiasollars@yahoo.com
http://www.virginiasollars.net
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