We stopped doing that because they’re inhumane. (There is an academic debate on if they’re inherently such or simply attract/foster abuse, but were not having that debate today.)
Notwithstanding OP’s argument (which is just bizarre to me), that’s not a great argument, and it’s not merely academic: the welfare of the mentally ill hang on it today.
Here was a more nuanced discussion and the article it referred to.
Releasing the mentally ill from asylums onto the streets lacking adequately funded community services to support them isn’t benevolent, either.
Without adequate support, they’re highly vulnerable to violent victimization resulting in more prison institutionalization.
Proper support matters regardless of setting whether in an adequately funded & regulated asylum or community services.
The real problem is insufficient funding & oversight of humane treatment.
Giving them humane treatment (even in the guise of an asylum) is better than the lack of that they’re getting in the streets.
It would be fairer to say asylums ended because they were inhumane, which they definitely were.
Notwithstanding OP’s argument (which is just bizarre to me), that’s not a great argument, and it’s not merely academic: the welfare of the mentally ill hang on it today. Here was a more nuanced discussion and the article it referred to.
Releasing the mentally ill from asylums onto the streets lacking adequately funded community services to support them isn’t benevolent, either. Without adequate support, they’re highly vulnerable to violent victimization resulting in more prison institutionalization. Proper support matters regardless of setting whether in an adequately funded & regulated asylum or community services. The real problem is insufficient funding & oversight of humane treatment.
Giving them humane treatment (even in the guise of an asylum) is better than the lack of that they’re getting in the streets.
It would be fairer to say asylums ended because they were inhumane, which they definitely were.