Download the pdf.
Challenges facing the involvement of veterans in jail diversion and prison reentry programs and strategies to address these problems are explained. Sections of this report are: introduction; financial disparities; eligibility and access; experiential disparities and preparedness; practical steps -- five practical steps, three access and eligibility steps, five experiential and preparedness steps; and conclusion.
Showing posts with label jail diversion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jail diversion. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Decriminalization of the Mentally Ill
NAMI Board Advocates for Decriminalizing Mental Illness
In a move designed to draw attention to the critical problem of criminalization of people with mental illnesses, the NAMI National Board of Directors has released a report calling for more jail diversion, improved services for people at risk of criminal justice involvement, and better collaboration between criminal justice and mental health professionals. The report, entitled "Decriminalizing Mental Illness: Background and Recommendations," provides a concise analysis of the history and scope of criminalization, and includes public policy recommendations to address these critical problems. Go online to access the full report and an executive summary.
In a move designed to draw attention to the critical problem of criminalization of people with mental illnesses, the NAMI National Board of Directors has released a report calling for more jail diversion, improved services for people at risk of criminal justice involvement, and better collaboration between criminal justice and mental health professionals. The report, entitled "Decriminalizing Mental Illness: Background and Recommendations," provides a concise analysis of the history and scope of criminalization, and includes public policy recommendations to address these critical problems. Go online to access the full report and an executive summary.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Bexar County Jail Diversion on You Tube
My new favorite line, "It's a 59 cent Coke!"
Great Job, Bexar County!
Great Job, Bexar County!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mental Health Court Approved for Smith County!
From Tyler Paper:
Pilot Program for Mental Health Court Approved
By ROY MAYNARDStaff WriterSmith County commissioners today laid the groundwork for a pilot mental health court, which will seek to divert non-violent mentally ill arrestees from the criminal justice system.
“It’s a crisis every county in Texas is facing now,” said Dr. David Self, chief forensic psychiatrist for the Rusk State Hospital. “Far too many mentally ill people are finding their way into the criminal justice system.”
Budget cuts at the state and federal levels have reduced resources for care for those with serious mental illnesses, he said.
“If they’re not being served in mental health system, they’re finding their way into the criminal justice system,” Self said. “Jail populations are typically 25 to 33 percent persons who are experiencing mental illness. Smith County falls right in there.”And jails aren’t where the mentally ill should be, he added.“Jails don’t do a good job of treating the seriously mentally ill, but that’s not their fault,” Self said. “That’s not what they’re designed for.”Most mentally ill inmates are in jail on non-violent misdemeanor offenses, he said.Valerie Holcomb, with the Andrews Center, said such inmates are much more expensive to incarcerate.“It costs twice as much to keep a mentally ill inmate (in jail) and they stay in jail three times longer,” she said.But a mental health court, which would focus on intensive supervised probation, can save the county money.“How much does it cost? The short answer is, it depends,” she said. “How much does it cost, versus how much does it cost to house a mentally ill inmate in jail? Research indicates there is improved public safety, and it reduces recidivism and jail costs.”Commissioners responded positively to the idea.“I’m very interested in the program,” County Judge Joel Baker said. “This ties in with (consultant) Carter Goble Lee’s recommendations on ways to maintain a lower jail population. I’ll do anything I can to help.”“I’m in support,” agreed Commissioner Bobby Van Ness. “It would be a win-win situation for both the jail and for public safety.”Commissioners voted unanimously to create a pilot program. No funding was provided, because participation by Smith County officials will be voluntary. Baker himself, who handles probate and mental competency hearings already, will serve as the court’s judge. A task force will be created to research other mental health courts and begin applying for grants. The pilot program will be limited to five to 10 participants during the first year.“We’re all focused on the jail population, and that’s a nice side benefit, but the focus of this is getting these people proper care,” said Commissioner Bill McGinnis. “And that’s what I’d like to see.”
Pilot Program for Mental Health Court Approved
By ROY MAYNARDStaff WriterSmith County commissioners today laid the groundwork for a pilot mental health court, which will seek to divert non-violent mentally ill arrestees from the criminal justice system.
“It’s a crisis every county in Texas is facing now,” said Dr. David Self, chief forensic psychiatrist for the Rusk State Hospital. “Far too many mentally ill people are finding their way into the criminal justice system.”
Budget cuts at the state and federal levels have reduced resources for care for those with serious mental illnesses, he said.
“If they’re not being served in mental health system, they’re finding their way into the criminal justice system,” Self said. “Jail populations are typically 25 to 33 percent persons who are experiencing mental illness. Smith County falls right in there.”And jails aren’t where the mentally ill should be, he added.“Jails don’t do a good job of treating the seriously mentally ill, but that’s not their fault,” Self said. “That’s not what they’re designed for.”Most mentally ill inmates are in jail on non-violent misdemeanor offenses, he said.Valerie Holcomb, with the Andrews Center, said such inmates are much more expensive to incarcerate.“It costs twice as much to keep a mentally ill inmate (in jail) and they stay in jail three times longer,” she said.But a mental health court, which would focus on intensive supervised probation, can save the county money.“How much does it cost? The short answer is, it depends,” she said. “How much does it cost, versus how much does it cost to house a mentally ill inmate in jail? Research indicates there is improved public safety, and it reduces recidivism and jail costs.”Commissioners responded positively to the idea.“I’m very interested in the program,” County Judge Joel Baker said. “This ties in with (consultant) Carter Goble Lee’s recommendations on ways to maintain a lower jail population. I’ll do anything I can to help.”“I’m in support,” agreed Commissioner Bobby Van Ness. “It would be a win-win situation for both the jail and for public safety.”Commissioners voted unanimously to create a pilot program. No funding was provided, because participation by Smith County officials will be voluntary. Baker himself, who handles probate and mental competency hearings already, will serve as the court’s judge. A task force will be created to research other mental health courts and begin applying for grants. The pilot program will be limited to five to 10 participants during the first year.“We’re all focused on the jail population, and that’s a nice side benefit, but the focus of this is getting these people proper care,” said Commissioner Bill McGinnis. “And that’s what I’d like to see.”
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Cost of Mental Health Care Overwhelming to County Jails
Costs of Mental Health Care is overwhelming to all jails, not just Harris County. Take any jail and that is the largest population of mentally ill consumers in any given county.
From our friends at Prevention not Punishment:
Costs of Mental Health Care Overwhelm Harris County Jail
Today's Houston Chronicle features the following article about the revolving door of severely mentally ill homeless offenders in the Harris County Jail ("Finding escape behind bars," July 21, 2008). Many of these inmates have been arrested on dozens of occasions; many have substance abuse disorders in addition to mental disorders. As the number of these chronic inmates continues to increase, the cost of both incarceration and treatment has soared to $87 million annually. While some organizations have launched new programs aimed at providing support for severely mentally ill homeless people immediately upon their release from jail, the demand for services still far outpaces the limited resources available.Here's the article in full:"At the Harris County Jail, deputies and health care workers have a name for them — frequent fliers.They are mentally ill homeless people who return to jail so often, sometimes on minor charges, that they become familiar to the psychiatric staff.During a recent survey, county officials found that more than 400 of the jail's 11,000 inmates were homeless and suffered from a major mental illness: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or a chronic depressive-psychotic disorder. They were among 1,900 inmates on psychotropic medications.When the mentally ill homeless leave jail — and leave behind its mental health care staff — many stop taking medication and end up on the street again. Treatment resumes only when they commit a crime and return to jail or their dementia overwhelms them and they are brought to an emergency psychiatric center.Treating the mentally ill as they cycle through jail and emergency psychiatric wards is expensive. A county budget analyst estimates that it costs $80,000 a year, per person.At the jail, spending on mental health care has risen to $24 million annually, and the combined cost of incarcerating and treating the mentally ill is $87 million annually.'The jails have become the psychiatric hospitals of the United States,' said Clarissa Stephens, an assistant director of the county's budget and management services office who has been studying the jail's mental health costs.The Commissioners Court is so concerned about the rising costs that it has retained a consultant — psychiatrist Avrim Fishkind — to study whether providing outpatient services and supervised housing would reduce the numbers of mentally ill revolving through the jail.'The costs of reincarcerating and court costs far outweigh what the costs would be if you housed, clothed and supervised the mentally ill,' Fishkind said.A June survey of more than 11,000 inmates revealed:•About one-quarter suffer from mental illness or once suffered from it.•Of those on medication, 978 suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or a severe depressive-psychotic disorder.•Of the 978 with a major mental health disorder, 423 likely were homeless.•Of the 423 homeless with a major mental health disorder, 97 percent had been arrested at least once before during their lifetimes; 43 percent had a prior arrest during the last 10 years.On the day of the survey, the jail's mentally ill homeless inmates included:•A 39-year-old woman booked 45 times since 2001.•A man, 26, booked 30 times since 1999.•A man, 52, booked 33 times since 1992.•A man, 25, booked 20 times since 2001.Some of the mentally ill — many of whom also are substance abusers — keep committing crimes and getting rearrested, in part, because few are properly supervised when they are released, said David Buck, a Baylor College of Medicine associate professor and president of Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston.Houston isn't alone in facing this issue. After many mental hospitals were closed in the 1970s and 1980s, countless patients were released in cities that were ill-equipped to house those who needed such care.'What happens here happens in many communities. We are criminalizing mental illness,' said Betsy Schwartz, president of Mental Health of America of Greater Houston, a nonprofit that promotes effective treatment for the mentally ill.Left to find her own wayPatricia George, 34, said her thinking always becomes clearer when she returns to jail and gets back on medication.In the past 20 years, George, who says she is bipolar and schizophrenic, has been charged with 12 felonies and 31 misdemeanors, with most of the bookings in Harris County. In all, she has spent nine years in jail.Like other mentally ill inmates, George has been expected to find her way — with no car and little money — to mental health providers, to line up counseling and to fill prescriptions for her medication in the weeks after her release.In the meantime, medications she was taking in jail wear off, she said during an interview three days after her July 5 release from jail.'Just walking down here (for the interview), I'm starting to hear voices,' said George, who finished a six-month sentence for prostitution.Not filling prescriptionsMany of the mentally ill never fill their prescriptions or return to counseling, said Steven Schnee, director of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, a government agency that provides mental health care locally. They just return to their former lives, usually on the streets.George, who often is homeless between jail stints, hopes she can avoid a return to jail this time. She has been working with Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston, which started a program that helps released mentally ill inmates find housing and reach appointments with mental health providers and counselors.Michael Seale, director of the county jail's health services, said the mental health staff becomes frustrated because inmates stabilized in jail drift into psychosis when they get out.'Whatever good work we've done may not have any value two or three weeks after they get out,' Seale said.The jail — which has come under scrutiny recently for inmate deaths and was inspected by federal investigators earlier this month — spent about $10 million on mental health care in 2004. Two years ago, only 600 inmates were on psychotropic medications.But staffing and funding then wasn't nearly adequate for the increasing numbers of mentally ill inmates.Since mental health wards have been expanded, the jail now has beds for 244 mentally ill inmates, including 70 who are acutely ill.The jail contracts with Harris County Psychiatric Center for 24 more beds.The jail's mental health team delivers medications to an additional 1,650 inmates through outpatient treatment.The team is big, employing 82 health care workers. That includes eight psychiatrists, 18 psychiatric registered nurses, 34 psychiatric technicians, seven licensed vocational nurses and 12 employees who screen incoming inmates.Chief Deputy Mike Smith of the Sheriff's Office said the jail's mental health operation is comparable to the biggest non-jail mental health hospitals in the state.Smith, as head of the jail, is among those credited with upgrading its mental health services. 'I've had people say I better watch what I say or I'll come across as a liberal,' he said. 'We shouldn't be treating our mentally ill in the jails. We should be treating them in the free world.'Advocates say the number of mentally ill cycling through jails and psychiatric wards can be greatly reduced.Many need to be placed in permanent supervised housing, Schwartz said.Those who are less ill could be placed in apartments and monitored at least weekly by case managers.But in Harris County, there are fewer than 1,500 rooms or apartments where the mentally ill can receive supervision or services, Schwartz said.About 10,000 such units are needed.'If these kind of housing opportunities existed, there would be far fewer mentally ill in jail,' she said."
From our friends at Prevention not Punishment:
Costs of Mental Health Care Overwhelm Harris County Jail
Today's Houston Chronicle features the following article about the revolving door of severely mentally ill homeless offenders in the Harris County Jail ("Finding escape behind bars," July 21, 2008). Many of these inmates have been arrested on dozens of occasions; many have substance abuse disorders in addition to mental disorders. As the number of these chronic inmates continues to increase, the cost of both incarceration and treatment has soared to $87 million annually. While some organizations have launched new programs aimed at providing support for severely mentally ill homeless people immediately upon their release from jail, the demand for services still far outpaces the limited resources available.Here's the article in full:"At the Harris County Jail, deputies and health care workers have a name for them — frequent fliers.They are mentally ill homeless people who return to jail so often, sometimes on minor charges, that they become familiar to the psychiatric staff.During a recent survey, county officials found that more than 400 of the jail's 11,000 inmates were homeless and suffered from a major mental illness: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or a chronic depressive-psychotic disorder. They were among 1,900 inmates on psychotropic medications.When the mentally ill homeless leave jail — and leave behind its mental health care staff — many stop taking medication and end up on the street again. Treatment resumes only when they commit a crime and return to jail or their dementia overwhelms them and they are brought to an emergency psychiatric center.Treating the mentally ill as they cycle through jail and emergency psychiatric wards is expensive. A county budget analyst estimates that it costs $80,000 a year, per person.At the jail, spending on mental health care has risen to $24 million annually, and the combined cost of incarcerating and treating the mentally ill is $87 million annually.'The jails have become the psychiatric hospitals of the United States,' said Clarissa Stephens, an assistant director of the county's budget and management services office who has been studying the jail's mental health costs.The Commissioners Court is so concerned about the rising costs that it has retained a consultant — psychiatrist Avrim Fishkind — to study whether providing outpatient services and supervised housing would reduce the numbers of mentally ill revolving through the jail.'The costs of reincarcerating and court costs far outweigh what the costs would be if you housed, clothed and supervised the mentally ill,' Fishkind said.A June survey of more than 11,000 inmates revealed:•About one-quarter suffer from mental illness or once suffered from it.•Of those on medication, 978 suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or a severe depressive-psychotic disorder.•Of the 978 with a major mental health disorder, 423 likely were homeless.•Of the 423 homeless with a major mental health disorder, 97 percent had been arrested at least once before during their lifetimes; 43 percent had a prior arrest during the last 10 years.On the day of the survey, the jail's mentally ill homeless inmates included:•A 39-year-old woman booked 45 times since 2001.•A man, 26, booked 30 times since 1999.•A man, 52, booked 33 times since 1992.•A man, 25, booked 20 times since 2001.Some of the mentally ill — many of whom also are substance abusers — keep committing crimes and getting rearrested, in part, because few are properly supervised when they are released, said David Buck, a Baylor College of Medicine associate professor and president of Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston.Houston isn't alone in facing this issue. After many mental hospitals were closed in the 1970s and 1980s, countless patients were released in cities that were ill-equipped to house those who needed such care.'What happens here happens in many communities. We are criminalizing mental illness,' said Betsy Schwartz, president of Mental Health of America of Greater Houston, a nonprofit that promotes effective treatment for the mentally ill.Left to find her own wayPatricia George, 34, said her thinking always becomes clearer when she returns to jail and gets back on medication.In the past 20 years, George, who says she is bipolar and schizophrenic, has been charged with 12 felonies and 31 misdemeanors, with most of the bookings in Harris County. In all, she has spent nine years in jail.Like other mentally ill inmates, George has been expected to find her way — with no car and little money — to mental health providers, to line up counseling and to fill prescriptions for her medication in the weeks after her release.In the meantime, medications she was taking in jail wear off, she said during an interview three days after her July 5 release from jail.'Just walking down here (for the interview), I'm starting to hear voices,' said George, who finished a six-month sentence for prostitution.Not filling prescriptionsMany of the mentally ill never fill their prescriptions or return to counseling, said Steven Schnee, director of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, a government agency that provides mental health care locally. They just return to their former lives, usually on the streets.George, who often is homeless between jail stints, hopes she can avoid a return to jail this time. She has been working with Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston, which started a program that helps released mentally ill inmates find housing and reach appointments with mental health providers and counselors.Michael Seale, director of the county jail's health services, said the mental health staff becomes frustrated because inmates stabilized in jail drift into psychosis when they get out.'Whatever good work we've done may not have any value two or three weeks after they get out,' Seale said.The jail — which has come under scrutiny recently for inmate deaths and was inspected by federal investigators earlier this month — spent about $10 million on mental health care in 2004. Two years ago, only 600 inmates were on psychotropic medications.But staffing and funding then wasn't nearly adequate for the increasing numbers of mentally ill inmates.Since mental health wards have been expanded, the jail now has beds for 244 mentally ill inmates, including 70 who are acutely ill.The jail contracts with Harris County Psychiatric Center for 24 more beds.The jail's mental health team delivers medications to an additional 1,650 inmates through outpatient treatment.The team is big, employing 82 health care workers. That includes eight psychiatrists, 18 psychiatric registered nurses, 34 psychiatric technicians, seven licensed vocational nurses and 12 employees who screen incoming inmates.Chief Deputy Mike Smith of the Sheriff's Office said the jail's mental health operation is comparable to the biggest non-jail mental health hospitals in the state.Smith, as head of the jail, is among those credited with upgrading its mental health services. 'I've had people say I better watch what I say or I'll come across as a liberal,' he said. 'We shouldn't be treating our mentally ill in the jails. We should be treating them in the free world.'Advocates say the number of mentally ill cycling through jails and psychiatric wards can be greatly reduced.Many need to be placed in permanent supervised housing, Schwartz said.Those who are less ill could be placed in apartments and monitored at least weekly by case managers.But in Harris County, there are fewer than 1,500 rooms or apartments where the mentally ill can receive supervision or services, Schwartz said.About 10,000 such units are needed.'If these kind of housing opportunities existed, there would be far fewer mentally ill in jail,' she said."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
New Private Mental Health Defenders Office in Lubbock
(From Prevention not Punishment): KCBD, NewsChannel 11 in Lubbock reports that officials in Lubbock County have received funding for a new program aimed at diverting offenders with mental illness from jail and providing them with quality legal representation ("New Program Addresses Lubbock County Inmate Mental Health," July 10, 2008). While both Travis and Bexar Counties provide public mental health defenders to those who have committed misdemeanor offenses, Lubbock's Private Mental Health Defenders office will be the first of its kind in Texas. The program will use county funds to pay a nonprofit organization to oversee cases defended by private attorneysHere's the full story:
"Efforts are underway in Lubbock County to save taxpayers money and increase public safety. A $400,000 state grant will help Lubbock County open a Private Mental Health Defenders office. The goal is to address the mental health of Lubbock County inmates could save the county thousands of dollars at the same time.If you commit a crime in the Hub City, you will most likely end up in the Lubbock County Jail. But Lubbock County Director of Court Administration David Slayton says, for some, crime is a by-product of mental health illness. 'These individuals need help, we understand that but we don't want there to be a public safety risk by releasing them back out on the street. To figure out how to best deal within the justice system has been really tricky,' Slayton said.Slayton says, come this fall, the county will try something new - a Private Mental Health Defenders office. The office initially will be funded mostly by the state, but by the fifth year Lubbock County will pick up the entire bill. '[What] We anticipate is the savings in the jail cost will be enough to pay for this over, probably multiple times over,' Slayton added.The state grant will put experts in the jail to help identify inmates with mental health issues. Something Sheriff David Gutierrez says will help the problem. 'We as sheriffs have had problems throughout the decades with mental health issues in the jail. The reality is that now we are trying to bring this across through the judicial system to identify them prior to intake,' Sheriff Gutierrez said.Slayton says as part of the program the court will have the option to appoint specially trained attorneys to defend those identified with mental health problems.Defense Attorney Ted Hogan says it will help move people more efficiently through the court system. 'It's a way of dealing with folks that aren't your traditional criminals. Helping folks get back on their feet who hopefully don't come back and enable us to do it much more efficiently than what the old system has allowed us to do,' Hogan added.The idea, and its potential savings, has some Lubbock County commissioner's support. 'Take the grant money and do what needs to be done. Take care of these folks and give them [sic] learned council and keep those folks from possibly going to jail which will save us tax dollars,' Commissioner Bill McCay said.But not all are in support. District Attorney Matt Powell tells NewsChannel 11 his office is already taking steps to make sure those with mental issues have good representation.Still Slayton says many could benefit from the new office. 'It's good from the perspective of the tax payer, it's good for the defendant and they can get the mental help they need with their mental illness,' Slayton added.This will be the first program of its kind in the state and one of the few in the country. It's expected to be up and running by the beginning of October."
"Efforts are underway in Lubbock County to save taxpayers money and increase public safety. A $400,000 state grant will help Lubbock County open a Private Mental Health Defenders office. The goal is to address the mental health of Lubbock County inmates could save the county thousands of dollars at the same time.If you commit a crime in the Hub City, you will most likely end up in the Lubbock County Jail. But Lubbock County Director of Court Administration David Slayton says, for some, crime is a by-product of mental health illness. 'These individuals need help, we understand that but we don't want there to be a public safety risk by releasing them back out on the street. To figure out how to best deal within the justice system has been really tricky,' Slayton said.Slayton says, come this fall, the county will try something new - a Private Mental Health Defenders office. The office initially will be funded mostly by the state, but by the fifth year Lubbock County will pick up the entire bill. '[What] We anticipate is the savings in the jail cost will be enough to pay for this over, probably multiple times over,' Slayton added.The state grant will put experts in the jail to help identify inmates with mental health issues. Something Sheriff David Gutierrez says will help the problem. 'We as sheriffs have had problems throughout the decades with mental health issues in the jail. The reality is that now we are trying to bring this across through the judicial system to identify them prior to intake,' Sheriff Gutierrez said.Slayton says as part of the program the court will have the option to appoint specially trained attorneys to defend those identified with mental health problems.Defense Attorney Ted Hogan says it will help move people more efficiently through the court system. 'It's a way of dealing with folks that aren't your traditional criminals. Helping folks get back on their feet who hopefully don't come back and enable us to do it much more efficiently than what the old system has allowed us to do,' Hogan added.The idea, and its potential savings, has some Lubbock County commissioner's support. 'Take the grant money and do what needs to be done. Take care of these folks and give them [sic] learned council and keep those folks from possibly going to jail which will save us tax dollars,' Commissioner Bill McCay said.But not all are in support. District Attorney Matt Powell tells NewsChannel 11 his office is already taking steps to make sure those with mental issues have good representation.Still Slayton says many could benefit from the new office. 'It's good from the perspective of the tax payer, it's good for the defendant and they can get the mental help they need with their mental illness,' Slayton added.This will be the first program of its kind in the state and one of the few in the country. It's expected to be up and running by the beginning of October."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Mental Health Court for Smith County?
I received the following information today:
Good news--On Monday, July 28 at the meeting of the Smith County Commissioners, there will be a presentation regarding possible Mental Health Court being established in Smith County. Mental Health courts, which provided intensive supervised release for mentally ill probationers, have been found to be very effective at reducing not only return to jail but also in reducing psychiatric hospital stays with resources for enhancing outpatient treatment. When approximately 20% of Smith County jail inmates have been treated for mental illness in the past, the potential impact of such an intervention program is substantial not only in terms of dollars saved but also in terms of quality of life for individuals, family members, and other citizens who could be affected by subsequent crimes.
Dr. David Self, chief forensic psychiatrist at Rusk State Hospital, and Ms. Valerie Holcomb, Texas Corrections Office on Medically and Mentally Ill specialist at Andrews Center, will make a presentation to the Commissioners sometime early in the meeting which begins at 9 a.m. (July 28) at the courthouse annex (NE corner from courthouse--where early voting occurs). Come and show your support, come and learn about the plans. This project has the potential for closing a revolving door into jail and/or hospital for many people whose care for mental illness is not consistent at times.
Paul Andrews
Good news--On Monday, July 28 at the meeting of the Smith County Commissioners, there will be a presentation regarding possible Mental Health Court being established in Smith County. Mental Health courts, which provided intensive supervised release for mentally ill probationers, have been found to be very effective at reducing not only return to jail but also in reducing psychiatric hospital stays with resources for enhancing outpatient treatment. When approximately 20% of Smith County jail inmates have been treated for mental illness in the past, the potential impact of such an intervention program is substantial not only in terms of dollars saved but also in terms of quality of life for individuals, family members, and other citizens who could be affected by subsequent crimes.
Dr. David Self, chief forensic psychiatrist at Rusk State Hospital, and Ms. Valerie Holcomb, Texas Corrections Office on Medically and Mentally Ill specialist at Andrews Center, will make a presentation to the Commissioners sometime early in the meeting which begins at 9 a.m. (July 28) at the courthouse annex (NE corner from courthouse--where early voting occurs). Come and show your support, come and learn about the plans. This project has the potential for closing a revolving door into jail and/or hospital for many people whose care for mental illness is not consistent at times.
Paul Andrews
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