Schram: Costs shouldn't factor in deciding mentally-ill inmates' fates
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SEATTLE -- Isaac Zamora killed six people. He pleaded guilty to four of those murders.
For the other two, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Next month, a court will decide if Zamora should continue as a patient at Western State Hospital or be sent off to prison where he would begin serving four life sentences.
Doctors at Western State insist Zamora does not have a defined mental illness; does not require the type of psychiatric treatment provided at Western and poses a threat to staff and patients.
Then there's a 2-year-old law that stipulates a convicted felon who can't be managed in a hospital because of a threat to others can be sent off to prison.
In short, the cards seemed stacked.
Zamora is nothing close to sympathetic and my issue is not focused on him.
The relatives of those he killed want him in prison. If I were them, I'd want the same.
But the broader issue here is how we treat the mentally ill, and what the price of treatment adds up to.
It'll cost $70,000 a year to keep Zamora in prison; $1.2 million a year if he stays at Western State.
I'd hate to think we're pushing policy based on dollars versus treating mental illness. I'd hate to think that, but I suspect it.
I suspect that policy makers will consider the cost of treatment versus the cost of prison.
And I worry that what's decided for Zamora will be the template for those who come after.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
For the other two, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Next month, a court will decide if Zamora should continue as a patient at Western State Hospital or be sent off to prison where he would begin serving four life sentences.
Doctors at Western State insist Zamora does not have a defined mental illness; does not require the type of psychiatric treatment provided at Western and poses a threat to staff and patients.
Then there's a 2-year-old law that stipulates a convicted felon who can't be managed in a hospital because of a threat to others can be sent off to prison.
In short, the cards seemed stacked.
Zamora is nothing close to sympathetic and my issue is not focused on him.
The relatives of those he killed want him in prison. If I were them, I'd want the same.
But the broader issue here is how we treat the mentally ill, and what the price of treatment adds up to.
It'll cost $70,000 a year to keep Zamora in prison; $1.2 million a year if he stays at Western State.
I'd hate to think we're pushing policy based on dollars versus treating mental illness. I'd hate to think that, but I suspect it.
I suspect that policy makers will consider the cost of treatment versus the cost of prison.
And I worry that what's decided for Zamora will be the template for those who come after.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
