Getting Away With Murder: A True Story

by George C. Mallinckrodt

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS BANNED MY BOOK! The FDC doesn't want the truth to come It is the most corrupt, brutal agency in all of Florida. America is experiencing a mental health crisis of unprecedented magnitude. Fifty years ago, shocking conditions and abuses in psychiatric facilities resulted in nationwide closures with no viable plan to provide care for former and future patients. For the severely mentally ill, ever diminishing funding for mental health has resulted in a de facto return to the Middle Ages. In a justice system that criminalizes mental illness, people who desperately need mental health services are instead routinely rounded up and thrown into prisons for no more than a manifestation of their psychiatric conditions. Having worked as a psychotherapist for nearly three years in a Florida state prison psychiatric unit, George Mallinckrodt experienced firsthand the ultimate consequences of failed national and state mental health policies. With high hopes, 20 years of counseling experience, and a determination to make a difference, he dove headlong into the miasma of prison counseling. Join Mallinckrodt on the front lines in an eye-opening odyssey peppered with patients suffering a range of mental illness from paranoid schizophrenia to garden variety depression. George provided counseling to men who committed every crime imaginable—even grave robbery. Getting Away With Murder is an insider's account of a prison psychiatric ward in which the aberrant and bizarre are daily occurrences. Honest, unflinching, and darkly humorous, Mallinckrodt’s memoir is populated with a host of colorful characters—patients and mental health staff alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime

310 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2014

Reviews

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love memoirs and learning about social issues so this book was great read. It was one if those reads that I had to keep stopping and reminding myself it was a true recounting of a chain of events. So many aspects of the prison system intrigue people and it's evident the massive amount of shows in television on the subject. But, I don't recall seeing anything that focused on the mental health treatment of inmates nor the abuse of inmates. You hear in the news once in awhile of inmate deaths but I would venture to say that there is something inherently implied that inmates deserve little to no respect or regard to how they are treated. Mallinckrodt, who's job it is oversee and advocate for the needs of his patients hits resistance by policy and abuse that is undermining the progress of his patients. With the inability to protect his patients and his termination he continues to research, make noise, and seek justice for the injustices of inmates. This book not only brought to my attention his particular experiences in Dade County but also the deeper notion of what rights inmates of all criminal standing deserve and the particular needs of the mentally ill that may not fit the general population standard of procedure. Very thought provoking.

[Catherine Sabol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book, which I won in a giveaway. It was a stop and go experience for me. This is a chronicle of the author's experiences as a prison therapist. One of the first experiences he recounts, which did not take place in prison but in the job he had before that, absolutely left me horrified to the point of sleeplessness. Being an optimist I really considered hanging it up right there but a couple of days later decided to finish it. Thank goodness the rest was not as unsettling although I believe his purpose was for me to become indignant over the events he describes. It details a litany of inmate abuses by the correctional officers where he worked. I do see this as a real problem that concerns me and firmly agree should be addressed. However, the information is presented in a manner that seems to highlight the negative impact it had on him personally more so than on the experiences of the prisoners, and so it seemed sort of whiney at times to me. He does take the cause on and to his credit, meets and overcomes several problems in trying to bring about change in the system which seems to be ongoing to date. I applaud his efforts. This book contains a lot of interesting and useful information. I am sorry to say that I did not find it as engaging as I had hoped it would be..

[DLV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book after chatting with the Author at an Event in Toronto.
George is passionate about Mental Health issues!!
He truly wants to make a difference for people who have Mental Health issues.
He feels that Mental Health is under funded and under estimated.

George’s passion is evident in this book!!
This book is graphic yet needs to be graphic.

I feel that I understand more about Mental Health Issues
and about Prison Issues.
I will be doing things in my life now
to help others with Mental Health Issues.

Children and Adults and people in prisons do not have enough resources to access
Mental Health Initiatives.
Money spent on Mental Health
would Greatly benefit society in MANY ways!!!!

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a give away on Goodreads.com. I began reading, and read through the first chapter. This book wasn't to my liking because there was so much cussing. I really don't like that, but if it's occasionally used (like 1 or 2 times per chapter), I can handle it. I also found it hard to believe that the quotes were verbatim.....I don't think that anyone can remember word for word what was said between numerous people after years go by.

The author wrote me a very nice message in the front of the book, and I don't like the fact that I can't give this book a 5 star rating. I'm sure others will enjoy it. I just couldn't .

[Lee Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for free through Goodreads First Reads

The dialogue in this book left alot to be desired, however everything else was fascinating. I think it is a very good look at the injustices in prisons. Anyone who doesn't understand mental illnesses really needs to read this.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. George is passionate about his idea about prison reform and the quest to end inmate assaults and abuse against mentally ill patients. George writes in a way that is easy to follow and you can see his passion for what he does. If you are interested in psychology and the inner working of a prison system, I highly recommend this book!
The influx of mentally ill prisoners into prison is astounding. These prisoners should be getting psychiatric help instead of being incarcerated. Being in jail only makes them worse, not better. Reform is a must to keep these inmates out of prisons and into hospitals where they can get help.
I feel, if at risk youth get the intervention that they need, there will be less mentally ill prisoners.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book that I received from Goodreads. I would recommend it.

[Katie Owens]

This book is an analysis of the Emmit Till case back when the mention of "race" lit a fuse under almost any man. It discusses Emmit's past and what might have instigated the situation that led to his death. It also covers much of the trial of the murderers after his as well as the reactions of the nation. It suggests that this event was what got people really thinking about racism and the morality of it all.
I found this book interesting, but not wholly enjoyable to read. I felt that the chapters circled around each other and often repeated what we already learned from previous chapters. I do however feel that it gave an accurate account of history that would be beneficial to read and analyze in a high school history course.