Society isn’t fair

Good morning, Substack!

I sat down with Dr. William Mescall, a clinical psychologist who leads a mental health unit at a jail. We discussed his views on failure, the systemic and environmental factors that lead to incarceration, and how poverty traps those without wealth in cycles that harm both mental health and opportunity.

This was a powerful and eye-opening conversation. While incarceration is often framed purely in terms of crime and punishment, Dr. Mescall helps us see the deeper, more human stories—many shaped by survival rather than malice.

Join us as we unpack the failures behind incarceration—not just personal ones, but societal ones that impact all of us. If this resonates with you, or know someone who would benefit from this conversation, please share it!

~Alex

Here is more about Dr. William Mescall:

William Mescall is a Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Mental Health at a jail in Indiana. The jail includes a specialized mental health unit which holds approximately 50 inmates with serious and debilitating mental illnesses, and an additional 200 inmates with a diagnosed mental illness in the general population.

Dr. Mescall has also worked in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, adolescent residential facilities, and community mental health centers. His primary academic interests include the relationship between wealth inequality and mental illness, the reduction of criminal recidivism among mentally ill citizens, and a critical analysis of the use of antidepressant medications.

This podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and does not constitute a therapeutic relationship or professional mental health advice.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support and are in the U.S., you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text 'HOME' to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. If you are outside the U.S., please seek out local crisis services.

If you are interested in coaching or counseling, please feel free to visit our practice, Gainesville Psychology Group

Keywords: psychology; mental health; crime; social justice; criminal justice; poverty