Ozarks True Crime
Episode: The Sandra Hemme Story Ep. 8: The State Hospital is a Prison
Host: Anne Roderique-Jones
Release Date: March 14, 2024

1. Exploring the St. Joseph State Hospital and Its Transformation

The episode kicks off with Anne Roderique-Jones and her team visiting the historic St. Joseph State Hospital, now repurposed as the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Located on a sprawling property, the museum offers a haunting glimpse into the past treatments of mental illness in Missouri.

• Visual Tour:
  Anne describes the imposing structure surrounded by razor wire fences, highlighting the transformation from a psychiatric institution to a museum and the presence of an old white building formerly known as Progress Hall, built in 1893.

• Exhibits:
  The museum houses exhibits spanning four floors, featuring relics such as makeshift treatment rooms with mannequins undergoing electroconvulsive therapy and disturbing displays like wood and metal "lunatic boxes" used for detaining patients. Anne remarks, “A lot of exhibits were hard for me and my team to look at” (03:00).

2. Understanding Sandy’s Mental Health Journey

Anne delves into the life of Sandy Hemme, whose struggles with severe mental illness began at age 12 following family trauma and sexual abuse. Her ongoing battle with schizophrenia led to frequent hospitalizations, suicidal ideations, and self-injurious behavior.

• Personal Narrative:
  Anne shares her personal connection, relating Sandy's story to her own brother's experience with schizophrenia: “It's hard to think about him going through that rollercoaster, let alone going through it” (08:31).

3. Expert Insight: Sean O'Brien on Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System

Sean O'Brien, a professor at UMKC School of Law, provides a sobering perspective on the intersection of mental health and incarceration.

• Mental Illness Statistics:
  “If you look at the prison population in America, about 2/3 of them are mentally ill” (05:16).

• Systemic Failures:
  O'Brien explains Missouri's shift from treating mental illness to incarceration: “Missouri is reducing patient beds in mental hospitals at the same time that they are building new prisons” (07:29).

4. Deep Dive: Dr. John Laskowski on Psychosis and Legal Competence

Dr. John Laskowski, an MD with extensive experience in psychiatric evaluation, discusses the clinical aspects of Sandy’s condition and the legal implications.

• Defining Psychosis:
  “Hallucinations are when you have an abnormal perception... Derealization is when people have a feeling that things are unreal” (12:19).

• Competence to Stand Trial:
  Dr. Laskowski elaborates on what it means to be legally competent, emphasizing the importance of understanding court proceedings and communication: “Competent means the ability to answer questions like do they understand what court is, what the proceedings are” (11:50).

5. Sandy’s Treatment and Police Interrogation

A critical moment in the episode examines Sandy's interaction with law enforcement during a volatile period in her psychiatric treatment.

• Haloperidol Injections:
  Details of Sandy receiving multiple haloperidol injections and being placed in seclusion are discussed, highlighting the severe side effects she endured: “Sandy endured the extreme pain before being given a sedative” (16:29).

• Inappropriate Interrogation:
  Dr. Laskowski criticizes the timing and appropriateness of interrogating someone in such a compromised state: “It sounds like it would be inappropriate to try to be getting information out of her” (14:46).

6. The Reed Method and Vulnerability in Interrogations

Sean O'Brien sheds light on interrogation techniques that may exploit vulnerable individuals with mental illnesses.

• Reed Method:
  O'Brien describes the method as lacking empirical support, stating, “They go into the intense interrogation mode, and the results are that they spotted the liar 50% of the time. That's a coin toss” (18:37).

• Vulnerability Factors:
  Factors such as trauma and intellectual impairments make mentally ill individuals more susceptible to coercive tactics: “These types of patients... could lead them to agreeing to anything” (20:52).

7. Systemic Challenges and Potential Solutions

The conversation transitions to broader systemic issues and what can be done to prevent cases like Sandy’s.

• Advocacy Gaps:
  Dr. Laskowski highlights the lack of consistent advocacy for mentally ill patients within the legal system: “A patient could get lost in the shuffle” (19:34).

• Proposed Changes:
  Sean O'Brien advocates for improved police training and the presence of mental health professionals during interrogations: “If there's a therapist present whenever a juvenile is questioned by the police” (24:50).

8. Personal Reflections and Call to Action

Anne reflects on the systemic failures and her personal motivations, drawing parallels between Sandy's experiences and her brother’s ongoing battle with schizophrenia.

• Host’s Insight:
  “I can't imagine what Sandy was dealing with in the 1980s” (10:33).

• Encouraging Support:
  The episode concludes with a call for support for those struggling with mental illness, providing resources for listeners: “If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. US listeners can call 988” (27:16).

9. Looking Forward: Next Episode Teaser

Anne hints at the next episode, which will explore Sandy's potential exoneration and the challenges she faces post-judgment: “In the next episode... we look at what comes next for Sandy and what happens if she is exonerated” (26:35).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sean O'Brien on Prison Population:
  “If you look at the prison population in America, about 2/3 of them are mentally ill.” (05:16)

• Dr. John Laskowski on Inappropriate Interrogation:
  “It sounds like it would be inappropriate to try to be getting information out of her.” (14:46)

• Anne on Personal Connection:
  “It's hard to think about him going through that rollercoaster, let alone going through it.” (08:31)

• Sean O'Brien on Reed Method Efficacy:
  “They go into the intense interrogation mode, and the results are that they spotted the liar 50% of the time. That's a coin toss.” (18:37)

Conclusion

The State Hospital is a Prison offers a profound examination of the systemic failures in mental health care and the criminal justice system in Missouri. Through historical insights, expert interviews, and personal narratives, Anne Roderique-Jones paints a compelling picture of how individuals like Sandy Hemme navigate a landscape that often prioritizes punishment over treatment. The episode calls listeners to reflect on the urgent need for reform and greater compassion in addressing mental health issues within the judicial framework.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mental Health Support:
  Call or text 988 for immediate assistance.
  International resources available in show notes.

• Contact Information:
  Email Edit Audio at helloditaud.io