FoG 11
Additional Notes for FindChaos:
Page 11: Halfway homes are either state sponsored or for-profit in the U.S. and usually charity-run in other countries. Obviously there is a problem with a for-profit system of reintegrating people back into society, just as there is with the correctional system in America being almost entirely for-profit institutions now. Still, it’s a nice idea to try and help people get back in touch with society slowly, but they’ve been known to cause more damage than actually help. Since most people have a strong stigma against even those with mental illnesses, halfway homes for the mentally ill are usually located in poorer or higher crime neighborhoods, where the residents can easily pick up bad habits, learn from criminals or criminal elements around them or be put in danger simply for being there.
Mary is obviously in a larger halfway home that houses many different types, though mostly young and stable individuals. After long periods in mental health or criminal institutes, some are required to stay in a halfway home for a period of time ranging from one month to a year+. Most are required to maintain a job and pay rent to the halfway home, as well as doing chores, cooking meals, attending any therapy or recovery sessions offered and obeying curfew/other ‘house rules’. Someone as young as Mary would most likely be admitted because her family couldn’t offer her the support she needed when she was released from Winthrop Asylum. Obviously that isn’t clear why yet.
