Lead in Water Can Contribute to Criminality

The recent Flint water crisis has made national news shedding light on incompetent and perhaps criminal actions by the Michigan government. This crisis is not just a temporary problem that can be fixed by throwing money, which Michigan does not have, at the problem. Lead poisoning, as reported by some experts, can cause brain damage and contribute to criminal thinking and behavior. Lead poisoning has been linked to lower IQs, aggressive behavior, and to brain damage that affects learning and memory. Some experts have even connected levels of lead exposure to high crime rates.* Water problems like the one in Flint are not new to Michigan prisoners. Every Michigan prisoner hears rumors of the horrible water at the St. Louis Michigan prison. The water there is undrinkable and water is sold (yes sold!) on the store for those who want drinkable water. Yet, nothing has been done to resolve this problem. But the St. Louis prison is not the only Michigan prison with water problems. Michigan Reformatory in Ionia is the oldest operating prison in Michigan. This Shawshank Redemption looking prison routinely has rusty orange water coming from the pipes, yet the administration insists the water is safe for prisoners to drink and cook with, although some officers won't drink it. For years no one has held the Michigan Department of Corrections accountable for exposing prisoners to contaminated water. I am not sure the Flint water crisis will make a difference for prisoners, but maybe now someone with integrity will believe that a real problem exists and take action to ensure that Michigan's prisoners are not exposed to toxic water that may contribute to criminal behavior. * For more information and for study sources see "Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior" by Gail S. Anderson.