Why does California spend more on prisons than on the school system?

I am a 42 year old resident of the California Department of Correction (CDC).

I am from the Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz, San Jose area. I have been in prison for 7 years (arrested on June 20, 1989) and will be in until February 1999. Dr. Gross has given me the opportunity of publishing this material on his Web Site.

So I thought it might be of interest to some of you to know what the situation is with ADHD and the Criminal Justice System here in California.

I thought about starting this with a Bio. In reading all the ADHD material that I have, and having read so many of the same ADHD stories, I decided to spare you that drudgery.

Nevertheless, it should be stated that I have been diagnosed by several physicians qualified to make that diagnoses. Including Dr. Gross. These physicians are within and without CDC.

The current situation is simply, "ADHD DOES NOT EXIST" as far as CDC is concerned. As strange as that may seem, that is the case. I continue working to change this sad state of affairs, with the help of many others.

Here is a brief description of what I have been up against with the CDC. I was diagnosed "Hyperactive" as a child, but treatment was discontinued at about 8 or 9 years of age because of family problems. I did respond well to treatment with Ritalin.

While at Pelican Bay State Prison, in 1992 and attending A.A., my sponsor suggested that I seek professional help because of my continuing problems with temper, hyperactivity, moodiness, etc. I put a request to see the "Psych."

My first experience left much to be desired, but because CDC was already being sued over mental health issues, I was called in by a visiting "Psych" for revaluation. Dr. Bruce Baker told me that I was most likely suffering from ADHD and could be help by treatment with ritalin, education, and therapy.

He also told me he was sorry that he could not treat me because CDC had a policy against treating people with ritalin or for ADHD.

I really didn't believe much this doctor said, I actually thought that he was saying these things to see if I was motivated to get some drugs, I told him so and walked out of the meeting.

About a month later I read an article in The Wall Street Journal, that stated about the same thing that he had told me. So I went to see again with article in hand. He read the article, reaffirmed my ADHD diagnoses, then told me he would try to have me transferred where he might be able to treat me. He also told me that he thought it a disgrace that he couldn't provide treatment and told me his own son had ADHD. I never saw Dr. Baker again.

My transfer was denied and the more I sought treatment and a copy of Dr. Bakers report the more I was harassed. So I filed a Federal Civil Rights suit, that's when the harassment started. So I then hired an attorney.

While out to court in San Jose on a criminal case I saw Ms. Yana Livesay discussing ADHD and some legislation she had worked on. I wrote to her and she referred me to our own, Dr. Gross, as someone that might help me receive treatment using drugs other than ritalin.

Shortly thereafter my attorney arranged for me to meet with Dr. Gross and off (in chains) I went to his office where he also diagnosed ADHD and prescribed a trial of "desipramine."

When back in prison, I was denied this medication, even though it is regularly prescribed for many other thing to prisoners. My attorney, Tom Easton, continued to work and when I was seen by CDCs expert witness Larry Dizmang, M.D. and after extensive testing and interviews I was again diagnosed ADHD only this time I finally but reluctantly began treatment with ritalin. The effect was immediate and dramatic, but the medication was sporadic and inconsistently provided.

After much legal work, the medication did become fairly consistent. My whole world changed for the better. The treatment continued for a little over a year. Then the law suit was dismissed because we could not prove there had been a policy against ritalin. Within a few weeks, CDC stopped treatment and made a policy against treatment with stimulants.

Over the past year, I have been tried several tricyclic medications but none have been effective for me. I have had some serious side effects with some of these medications particularly "trazodone." The physician either prescribed an overdose or I had an exaggerated effect on me. It knocked me out all day and night. When I did not respond to an officer's call, I was dragged by my hair out of the cell and beat up, then accused of taking illegal drugs. When I explained that I had told the nurse the medication the doctor had given me was to strong and offered to give them a urine sample they relented.

I learned a lot about myself and ADHD while I was taking ritalin. For example, many of my problems stem from ADHD neurology as well as many of my attitudes and reactions to situations. I also learned that I don't have to live that way anymore. That means with or without the medication. Don't get me wrong I believe that the medication is essential for me to live a complete life, but until that happens for me I am still responsible for my actions reactions and inaction. At this time that means that I have to not react, avoid situations, and relationships, but I can function in a reduced capacity. I have many of the old problems with temper, concentration, and impulsivity. One thing I have not and will not do is take illegal drugs. I have been clean since June 20, 1989.

I have tried all the medication CDC will allow with no effect. I am not allowed to take MAO inhibitors because that would mean a transfer to (Vacaville) where the diet and ritalin is available. I have offered to pay for this transfer and the medication to no avail, I am told to try something else by the administration and the doctor tell me I have tried everything, catch 22 or what? I am now in the process of trying to find legal representation.

I hope the reader understands that this problem is not confined to me. There are many inmates with ADHD who don't have the resources I do, nor are they as determined as I to change their lives. These men are not diagnosed much less treated. I am not qualified to determine the extent of this problem, but from Dr. Larry Dizmang, 1993 study perhaps 77% have ADHD. With these numbers I would think ADHD would be an area of great concern.

You might think that the goals of the CDC and the communities are the same, i.e. to reduce crime and help men and women rejoin society. This may come as a shock but, the CDC and the community's goals diverged sometime ago.

People with untreated ADHD and learning disabilities are the bread and butter of the prison system. I am under no illusion that there is a simple solution to this problem.

I would be very interested in the readers responses, good or bad.

I want to thank the ADHD community out there, both those that have it and the professionals who treat it, of bring it to the publics attention and mine. It has been this commitment that has helped me bring to be able to write about this issue here.

If I can be of any help to anyone out there, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would like to do something positive for the community at large.

Till the End,
William R. Garrett