In a piece written with The Marshall Project co-founder Bill Keller for New York Magazine, John describes how Andrew Goldstein’s crime set in motion a dramatic shift in how we care for the violent mentally ill. Including for himself — when he’s released this month.
EXCERPT
It’s not easy being an overweight, balding, Jewish schizophrenic living among the SMI-Vs of the New York prison system. During his 19 years, 16 of them in the state’s flagship prison mental ward at the Sullivan Correctional Facility, and most recently in Sing Sing, Andrew has been teased and bullied by the high-functioning mental cases. Everyone inside seems to know at least the tabloid outlines of his crime. In January 1999, suffering from schizophrenia and given to explosive violence when off his medication, Andrew, then 29, pushed a 32-year-old receptionist into the path of an oncoming N train at the 23rd Street subway station.
After two trials and a plea bargain, Andrew was sentenced to 23 years in prison. With time off for good behavior, he is scheduled for release on September 14.
In Sullivan, prisoners and correction officers started calling him “A-Train,” and the nickname followed him all the way to Sing Sing.
“A-Train, you shoulda took the bus!” say the guards.
“Yes, sir, yikes!” responds Andrew.
“Who’s your daddy, A-Train — you love your daddy?” taunts a prisoner.
“Yes, sir, yes, sir — you’re my daddy!”
Read the full piece in New York Magazine and at The Marshall Project.