Should a person who commits a crime go to prison or the hospital if they have a mental illness?

I think it depends on the crime.

There are some murderers who I believe should have gone to a hospital instead of prison. Then there are some people I've met in the psychiatric ward who should have gone to prison instead of a hospital.

I have a mental illness myself and I've been in some of the high security locked wards of the hospital where they put some criminals who are transitioning out of jail into society. I have come really, really close myself to committing awful crimes which is why I was put there. I think some of them got some benefit from the hospital, while some clearly needed to be in prison because they were not mentally ill at all, they were just heartless.

I think if someone commits murder with no motive, then they are clearly mentally ill and should go to a hospital. If someone commits murder with a plan and motive, then I believe they should go to prison. But then, it's not always that cut and dry.

I think it depends. There are some people who just seem so completely out of it and then there are others who just aren't so... well, you know. I have mental illness and I was in a crisis center for homicidal thoughts and suicidal thoughts, as well as attempting to commit suicide. I have urges to do something and some urges not to. Though during those thoughts I am not myself and it is very trippy and I absolutely hate it. I once remember blacking out in high school and yelling at this guy whose in Junior to shut the fuck up. I looked at my friend and honest to god felt awful and told him I just remember blacking out. It's not fun and I think they should honestly evaluate them and at least try to give them a safe place.