Prison Voices: Billy McCarthy of We Are Augustines Talks About Solitary Confinement and Mental Illness

In a podcast interview, Billy McCarthy discusses his brother’s struggle with mental illness and the turning points in James’ life. His changed personality and behavior led to heroin use, altercations, and time in Folsom State prison’s solitary unit. Tragically, James committed suicide after 5 years in solitary confinement. Billy argues that solitary confinement is inhumane, and patients’ mental illnesses are rarely taken into account when their surrounding environment undoubtedly worsens their mental condition.