Inside a Mental Hospital – The Cook County Jail

India, 42, suffers from manic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She has spent almost all of her adult life in jails and prisons. John Gress for The New York Times

“Have you ever been to jail before?” a Cook County Sheriff’s employee asked me as we began our journey into the jail.

“I’ve been in a correctional institution four times, but this is only my second time in a county jail!” I responded. I know you’re wondering…. no I wasn’t incarcerated!