Jodi Arias Admitted to Psychiatric Ward

Photo by Julie Kertesz

Jodi Arias was admitted to a psychiatric ward in Lower Buckeye jail some time after the verdict. Many people are speculating if this was another manipulation stunt by Jodi.  I would say it is not.  

I believe one of two things may have happened and agree with Dr. Drew when he suggested that when Jodi Arias said she preferred to die rather than serve out her natural life in prison, the warden of the jail may have very well put her on suicide watch as he is responsible for her life.

He also said that medical professionals have certain criteria they use before they lock someone up in the psych ward.  I believe him in this regard as well.

Jodi Arias may have had a serious melt down for two reasons:

1. If she heard she was going to be transported to a psych ward because of what she said in her TV interview after the verdict, this would have caused Jodi to flip, because her “game” of saying she wanted death (when I really believe she didn’t) backfired on her, and bit her in the bum.  She wouldn’t have anticipated this, and the lack of control she had at that point would have been nil, and she likely reacted and reacted violently.

or 

2.  When Jodi was finally left alone after the verdict, she may have realized that her life as she knew it was over, and again, the idea that she had no control could have caused her to flip mentally and/or physically. It’s very, very possibly.

People who suffer from Jodi’s disorder of psychopathy do not do well in situations where they lack all control.  In trial, Jodi had a fair amount of control still, but since the verdict that has changed. She will no longer be able to influence people as easily as she did before– at least for a while. Granted, she will still try and she still will be able to do so, but her effectiveness will be less than ever before until she builds networks in prison.

Which on that note, I do believe that Jodi Arias is an extremely high risk prisoner. I think she has the highest propensity to escape from prison of any other suspect I have analyzed since Diane Downs.  And Diane Downs, who shares Jodi’s sickness, has escaped and tried multiple times.

If I were to speak to Jodi Arias’ warden, I would strongly advise him to keep an extra hard watch on Jodi Arias through her entire time in prison. I would put the toughest guards on her who are least likely to fall for her manipulation–because Jodi can be extremely good at manipulating people (even though we haven’t witnessed it in court). I would not be surprised at all if she manipulates people who are clueless as she escapes beneath them.