Untreated OCD would not interfere with life in prison?? Is that really what you stated? I don't think you understand much about OCD, or life in prison, or the horrific interaction effect between the two. I presume you wouldn't grasp how being locked up could exacerbate clinical depression either. Personally I have no problem whatsoever when patients with these disorders are medicated for them in prison. Another very important factor is that the meds used to treat depression and OCD are not C-II narcotic substances with extremely high abuse potential.
On the other hand, the therapeutic benefits of Ritalin for a confined prisoner are virtually nonexistent (Indeed, I'm struggling to imagine even one legitimate indication for psychostimulant therapy in a jail setting). Clearly, the very serious risks of abuse/diversion of Ritalin far outweigh the scant, if any, conceivable benefits! What does he need it for?? So he can focus more attentively on the TV screen in his cell? In this setting, Ritalin is dangerous, unnecessary, an expensive waste of taxpayer money--a simply outrageous drug for prisoner!
In fact, I know plenty of psychiatrists (the good ones with some common sense) won't even prescribe stimulants to patients who live IN THE COMMUNITY--unless the patient either has a job and/or attends school (i.e., a reason to focus). And, to relate this final thought back to our incarcerated patient,they would certainly never, and I mean NEVER, prescribe speed to a patient with a CRIMINAL RECORD, who also did not work, did not study, and had barely performed a single difficult responsibility in his entire life.
