From chron.com:
Some youthful offenders with mental problems are stuck in the Texas Youth Commission because of a loophole in state law. TYC video. Filed by R.G. Ratcliffe April 8, 2009
Posts
Guiney
2 weeks ago
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mental Illness and Homelessness: Coming to a Town Near You!
From Dallas Morning News:
Read the rest here.
Unfortunately, I do not believe that my town's newspaper, the Tyler Morning Telegraph, would dare cover such topics, because it would mean admitting to having a homeless population and a population with mental illness.
The Dallas Morning News is taking a closer look at the struggles of helping the chronically homeless. This article is the first in a series this year examining the costs of inadequate treatment and exploring possible solutions. The project received support from The Carter Center, which offers fellowships in mental health journalism.
The system designed to help – psychiatric hospitals, drug and alcohol treatment centers, mental health clinics and housing programs – isn't working for most of them. Many are reluctant to get help, but even if they're willing, they face a lack of available treatment beds and inadequate follow-up care.
These failures not only perpetuate homelessness but end up costing taxpayers millions for law enforcement, emergency care and other expenses that could be avoided.
"The system is just not there for them," said Ron Cowart, supervisor of the city's Crisis Homeless Outreach Unit, which has a team that focuses on the most difficult cases on the streets. "I look at many of these [homeless] encampments as being monuments of our failure to properly address the mentally ill homeless."
Dallas' new homeless assistance center, The Bridge, cost $21 million to build and another $7 million a year to operate. Terrell State Hospital, which handles the most extreme psychiatric crises, spent $1.7 million last year treating 132 homeless people. Dallas County spends about $11 million a year keeping an average of 566 homeless people per day in jail. And Dallas police have spent nearly $300,000 so far this year making 3,191 arrests downtown for panhandling, sleeping in public and public intoxication.
Read the rest here.
Unfortunately, I do not believe that my town's newspaper, the Tyler Morning Telegraph, would dare cover such topics, because it would mean admitting to having a homeless population and a population with mental illness.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Houston man allegedly tried to beat demon from son
Houston man allegedly tried to beat demon from son
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
April 6, 2009, 2:45PM
HOUSTON — A man accused of viciously beating his 3-year-old son claims he wasn't hitting the boy but trying to drive a demon out of the child's body, authorities said Monday.
Relatives say Jacky Tran, who is being held in the Harris County Jail on a $100,000 bond after being charged with felony injury to a child, believed he was an angel trying to save his son.
"He told me that he thinks he's an angel right now," Tran's cousin-in-law Thuba To said Monday, the day after speaking with him in jail. "He told me the whole family are angels. The boy is an angel but evil took his body and that's the reason why he tried to take the evil out of his body. That's what he thought."
To said she and other family members are shocked the 35-year-old devout Buddhist could have done this and believe he has serious mental problems.
Jacky Tran made a brief court appearance Monday. His attorney, Jerome Godinich, did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.
The boy's mother, Phung Tran, 36, has been charged with felony injury to a child and is in the county jail on a $30,000 bond. She was set to appear in court Tuesday. Court records did not list an attorney for her.
Lt. John Legg, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Department, said a deputy was called to the Tran home Saturday evening in response to an alarm.
The deputy found all the home's windows were open and music was blaring from inside. A man, later identified as Tran, was seen by the deputy in a second-floor bedroom.
"He observed (Tran) yelling and striking downward at something," Legg said. "There was a break in the music and the deputy then heard a child screaming."
Before the deputy and other officers could force their way into the home, Tran came downstairs and was arrested. Inside, deputies found Phung Tran tending to the boy, whose face and head had been "seriously pummeled," Legg said.
The boy's head was swollen to the point where his eyes could barely open, said Donna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Tran "was saying, 'I wasn't beating my son. I was beating the demon out of him.' He was apparently repeating that," Legg said.
The boy, who was still hospitalized Monday, was expected to survive, officials said.
Legg said Jacky Tran had apparently been experiencing a change in mood and behavior over the past week. Deputies found furniture from inside the home piled in the front and back yards.
To said she had not spoken with Jacky Tran in about a week but he had never acted strangely before.
"He's a very nice person, very responsible with his family," she said.
Child Protective Services was given custody by a judge on Monday of the boy and his 6-year-old sister, who was in the home on Saturday but wasn't injured, said CPS spokeswoman Gwen Carter.
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
April 6, 2009, 2:45PM
HOUSTON — A man accused of viciously beating his 3-year-old son claims he wasn't hitting the boy but trying to drive a demon out of the child's body, authorities said Monday.
Relatives say Jacky Tran, who is being held in the Harris County Jail on a $100,000 bond after being charged with felony injury to a child, believed he was an angel trying to save his son.
"He told me that he thinks he's an angel right now," Tran's cousin-in-law Thuba To said Monday, the day after speaking with him in jail. "He told me the whole family are angels. The boy is an angel but evil took his body and that's the reason why he tried to take the evil out of his body. That's what he thought."
To said she and other family members are shocked the 35-year-old devout Buddhist could have done this and believe he has serious mental problems.
Jacky Tran made a brief court appearance Monday. His attorney, Jerome Godinich, did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.
The boy's mother, Phung Tran, 36, has been charged with felony injury to a child and is in the county jail on a $30,000 bond. She was set to appear in court Tuesday. Court records did not list an attorney for her.
Lt. John Legg, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Department, said a deputy was called to the Tran home Saturday evening in response to an alarm.
The deputy found all the home's windows were open and music was blaring from inside. A man, later identified as Tran, was seen by the deputy in a second-floor bedroom.
"He observed (Tran) yelling and striking downward at something," Legg said. "There was a break in the music and the deputy then heard a child screaming."
Before the deputy and other officers could force their way into the home, Tran came downstairs and was arrested. Inside, deputies found Phung Tran tending to the boy, whose face and head had been "seriously pummeled," Legg said.
The boy's head was swollen to the point where his eyes could barely open, said Donna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Tran "was saying, 'I wasn't beating my son. I was beating the demon out of him.' He was apparently repeating that," Legg said.
The boy, who was still hospitalized Monday, was expected to survive, officials said.
Legg said Jacky Tran had apparently been experiencing a change in mood and behavior over the past week. Deputies found furniture from inside the home piled in the front and back yards.
To said she had not spoken with Jacky Tran in about a week but he had never acted strangely before.
"He's a very nice person, very responsible with his family," she said.
Child Protective Services was given custody by a judge on Monday of the boy and his 6-year-old sister, who was in the home on Saturday but wasn't injured, said CPS spokeswoman Gwen Carter.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Murder Suspect Attempted to Get Help a Few Days Prior to Killing Actor
Murder suspect had been out of prison three months before killing local actor, police say
Seth Tatum turned himself in to authorities a day later, police say
By Isadora Vail, Claire Osborn
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, April 04, 2009
After beating his mother's roommate with a garden tool at their South Austin home Wednesday, Seth Tatum walked about three miles to the home of an Austin actor whom he had never met and killed him, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tatum, who has been out of prison for about three months, beat Carl Drake and killed 67-year-old Louis Byron Perryman, police said Friday.
On Thursday, Tatum, 26, drove Perryman's car to the Travis County Courthouse and surrendered to authorities, homicide Detective Joseph Chacon said.
"I just don't know what happened," said Tatum's mother, Joan. "He's sweet, and everybody loved him and supported him and thought he was going to be OK. At least he turned himself in."
Tatum has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms, his mother said. He tried to get treatment at a psychiatric hospital Tuesday night, she said.
Perryman was a character actor who enjoyed a run of bit parts, including in the films "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2," "Poltergeist" and "The Blues Brothers" and in television's "Walker, Texas Ranger."
During the South by Southwest Film Festival last month, Perryman joined longtime creative collaborator and friend Tobe Hooper at a special screening of their movie "Eggshells," which was made in Austin in 1969 and was recently restored.
"It's lovely that they were able to reunite for such a special event before this tragedy," said Rebecca Campbell, director of the Austin Film Society.
On Wednesday, police said, Tatum fractured Drake's skull and cut his hands and head with a pair of garden shears. Drake was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge, where he was treated and released, police said.
Police said Tatum ran from the house in the 6000 block of Glen Meadow Drive when his mother called 911.
Tatum ended up at Perryman's home in the 1100 block of Darvone Circle, Chacon said. Tatum and Perryman did not know each other, he said.
Chacon said Tatum beat Perryman with a sharp object.
Tatum told detectives at the courthouse that he had beaten Drake and killed Perryman, Chacon said.
Joan Tatum said her son grew up in Austin, attended Porter Middle School and then got his General Educational Development certificate at a Texas Youth Commission facility in Brownwood.
After he left the commission at about age 19, he held a variety of jobs, including construction, rockwork and at several moving companies, Joan Tatum said.
Seth Tatum spent three years in prison for aggravated robbery, according to police, and was released from a Huntsville prison this year.
Joan Tatum said her son had come home this week after spending a month in a small town in Oklahoma with relatives.
She said that he wanted to work as a tattoo artist but that there were no jobs in tattooing in the town.
He had stopped taking his medications about a month ago because he didn't think they were helping him, she said.
On Tuesday, Seth Tatum asked his mother to take him to Seton Shoal Creek Hospital to see if she could get him admitted, Joan Tatum said.
"They wanted $3,600 for the first three days, and I don't have that kind of money, so we left," she said. "He is 26 and doesn't have insurance anymore."
In a statement, the Seton Family of Hospitals said, "It is our policy to let all of our patients know the cost of daily charges and doctor fees.
"If they do not have insurance or the means to cover those costs, we ask if they can assist in the payment of those charges."
The statement said Seton has provided about a half-million dollars in charity and free care for patients in the past year.
Tatum remained in the Travis County Jail on Friday with bail set at $1 million.
He has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He could receive the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.
Additional material from staff writer Chris Garcia.
Seth Tatum turned himself in to authorities a day later, police say
By Isadora Vail, Claire Osborn
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, April 04, 2009
After beating his mother's roommate with a garden tool at their South Austin home Wednesday, Seth Tatum walked about three miles to the home of an Austin actor whom he had never met and killed him, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tatum, who has been out of prison for about three months, beat Carl Drake and killed 67-year-old Louis Byron Perryman, police said Friday.
On Thursday, Tatum, 26, drove Perryman's car to the Travis County Courthouse and surrendered to authorities, homicide Detective Joseph Chacon said.
"I just don't know what happened," said Tatum's mother, Joan. "He's sweet, and everybody loved him and supported him and thought he was going to be OK. At least he turned himself in."
Tatum has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms, his mother said. He tried to get treatment at a psychiatric hospital Tuesday night, she said.
Perryman was a character actor who enjoyed a run of bit parts, including in the films "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2," "Poltergeist" and "The Blues Brothers" and in television's "Walker, Texas Ranger."
During the South by Southwest Film Festival last month, Perryman joined longtime creative collaborator and friend Tobe Hooper at a special screening of their movie "Eggshells," which was made in Austin in 1969 and was recently restored.
"It's lovely that they were able to reunite for such a special event before this tragedy," said Rebecca Campbell, director of the Austin Film Society.
On Wednesday, police said, Tatum fractured Drake's skull and cut his hands and head with a pair of garden shears. Drake was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge, where he was treated and released, police said.
Police said Tatum ran from the house in the 6000 block of Glen Meadow Drive when his mother called 911.
Tatum ended up at Perryman's home in the 1100 block of Darvone Circle, Chacon said. Tatum and Perryman did not know each other, he said.
Chacon said Tatum beat Perryman with a sharp object.
Tatum told detectives at the courthouse that he had beaten Drake and killed Perryman, Chacon said.
Joan Tatum said her son grew up in Austin, attended Porter Middle School and then got his General Educational Development certificate at a Texas Youth Commission facility in Brownwood.
After he left the commission at about age 19, he held a variety of jobs, including construction, rockwork and at several moving companies, Joan Tatum said.
Seth Tatum spent three years in prison for aggravated robbery, according to police, and was released from a Huntsville prison this year.
Joan Tatum said her son had come home this week after spending a month in a small town in Oklahoma with relatives.
She said that he wanted to work as a tattoo artist but that there were no jobs in tattooing in the town.
He had stopped taking his medications about a month ago because he didn't think they were helping him, she said.
On Tuesday, Seth Tatum asked his mother to take him to Seton Shoal Creek Hospital to see if she could get him admitted, Joan Tatum said.
"They wanted $3,600 for the first three days, and I don't have that kind of money, so we left," she said. "He is 26 and doesn't have insurance anymore."
In a statement, the Seton Family of Hospitals said, "It is our policy to let all of our patients know the cost of daily charges and doctor fees.
"If they do not have insurance or the means to cover those costs, we ask if they can assist in the payment of those charges."
The statement said Seton has provided about a half-million dollars in charity and free care for patients in the past year.
Tatum remained in the Travis County Jail on Friday with bail set at $1 million.
He has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He could receive the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.
Additional material from staff writer Chris Garcia.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Drug Courts: A Review of the Evidence
The Sentencing Project is pleased to announce the publication of a new report, Drug Courts: A Review of the Evidence, that assesses the impact of the drug court movement.
Since their introduction in 1989, drug courts have received a significant amount of attention by practitioners, policymakers, and the general public. Originally conceived as an alternative to incarceration for persons convicted of low-level drug offenses, there are now more than 1,600 drug courts nationally, covering all 50 states. Many of these programs have broadened their eligibility requirements to grant more individuals access to treatment rather than incarceration. In the two decades since their launch, a substantial body of literature has been established evaluating drug court efficacy in regard to reducing recidivism and criminal justice costs.
Since their introduction in 1989, drug courts have received a significant amount of attention by practitioners, policymakers, and the general public. Originally conceived as an alternative to incarceration for persons convicted of low-level drug offenses, there are now more than 1,600 drug courts nationally, covering all 50 states. Many of these programs have broadened their eligibility requirements to grant more individuals access to treatment rather than incarceration. In the two decades since their launch, a substantial body of literature has been established evaluating drug court efficacy in regard to reducing recidivism and criminal justice costs.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
9 People - 2,678 ER Visits - $3 Million
You've heard me say it before! This is, yet, more evidence that we live in a crisis driven society! The reader's initial response may be to blame these 9 people, but what would you do if you had no money? Would you go to the emergency room and wait 4-8 hours for care? Would you go to the indigent care clinic / mental health clinic and wait 6-12 months for care? If it makes you feel better, go ahead and blame the infamous 9, and I would agree that they share in that blame. Or, you can choose to take responsibility and commit to a change.
This $3 million breaks down to a little over $55,000 per person per year. If you're footing the bill (and you are) you could provide room & board, most meds, fair health care (preventative and maintenance) for around $14,000 per year (probably less). Tell your legislator what you think. I would challange the local Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams to make efforts to document the costs of the frequent users of crisis services.
Austin ER's got 2,678 visits from 9 people over 6 years
Task force seeking ways to divert non-emergencies away from emergency rooms.
By Mary Ann Roser
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
In the past six years, eight people from Austin and one from Luling racked up 2,678 emergency room visits in Central Texas, costing hospitals, taxpayers and others $3 million, according to a report from a nonprofit made up of hospitals and other providers that care for the uninsured and low-income Central Texans.
One of the nine spent more than a third of last year in the ER: 145 days. That same patient totaled 554 ER visits from 2003 through 2008.
"We looked at frequent users of emergency departments ... and that's the extreme," said Ann Kitchen, executive director of the Integrated Care Collaboration, the group that presented the report last week to the Travis County Healthcare District board. "What we're really trying to do is find out who's using our emergency rooms ... and find solutions."
The health district, one of 26 members of the ICC, has long been concerned about overuse and crowding of ERs, a problem that has hit hospitals around the country. (view the rest here)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Improving Outcomes for People with Mental Illness Under Community Corrections Supervision
From the Council of State Government's Justice Center: Improving Outcomes for People with Mental Illness under Community Corrections Supervision: A Guide to Research Informed Policy and Practice.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center announced today the release of Improving Outcomes for People with Mental Illnesses under Community Corrections Supervision: A Guide to Research-Informed Policy and Practice, which was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice. The Guide reviews the body of recent research on community corrections supervision for people with mental illnesses and translates the findings to help officials develop effective interventions.
The number of people under community corrections supervision is at an all-time high nationwide-a March 2009 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts' Public Safety Performance Project confirms that more than 1 in 45 adults are on probation or parole. Based on other recent prevalence studies, the Guide indicates that an unprecedented number of these individuals have serious mental illnesses. These individuals are more likely than others to have their community sentences revoked, return to jail or prison, and become more deeply involved in the criminal justice system. This first-of-its-kind guide helps program planners and policymakers apply research on promising practices to improve outcomes for people with mental illnesses under community corrections supervision.
"More than 1.5 million people released from jail each year have serious mental illnesses and many will require special supervision strategies and treatments to safely and successfully rejoin their communities," said Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, the specialty courts coordinator of the state's Second Judicial District and Justice Center board member. "State lawmakers in Nevada, as is the case everywhere, are concerned about the costs and public safety issues associated with high probation and parole revocation rates among people with mental illnesses. In particular, we need to improve how this population is supervised, and this report highlights the research we should use to inform state policy and funding decisions."
The Guide indicates that community corrections and mental health officials are increasingly aware that they are serving the same individuals without positive effect. It explores the extent to which people with mental illnesses become involved in the community corrections system, and why traditional supervision and treatment strategies are not generally effective for this population. It also summarizes evidence-based and promising programs, strategies, and techniques to improve results for the justice system and people with mental illnesses. The Guide discusses how the current body of knowledge can help shape agency operations, program design and implementation. Research questions that should be investigated further to expand the evidence base are also identified.
"Community corrections agencies and mental health treatment providers are trying to figure out the best ways to coordinate or integrate their efforts to better serve people with mental illnesses and tailor new programs in ways that reduce recidivism and encourage recovery," said Morris Thigpen, Director of the National Institute of Corrections. "The Guide is an exciting new resource for two systems that are coming together around commonly defined goals to tackle these challenges."
The Council of State Governments Justice Center announced today the release of Improving Outcomes for People with Mental Illnesses under Community Corrections Supervision: A Guide to Research-Informed Policy and Practice, which was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice. The Guide reviews the body of recent research on community corrections supervision for people with mental illnesses and translates the findings to help officials develop effective interventions.
The number of people under community corrections supervision is at an all-time high nationwide-a March 2009 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts' Public Safety Performance Project confirms that more than 1 in 45 adults are on probation or parole. Based on other recent prevalence studies, the Guide indicates that an unprecedented number of these individuals have serious mental illnesses. These individuals are more likely than others to have their community sentences revoked, return to jail or prison, and become more deeply involved in the criminal justice system. This first-of-its-kind guide helps program planners and policymakers apply research on promising practices to improve outcomes for people with mental illnesses under community corrections supervision.
"More than 1.5 million people released from jail each year have serious mental illnesses and many will require special supervision strategies and treatments to safely and successfully rejoin their communities," said Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, the specialty courts coordinator of the state's Second Judicial District and Justice Center board member. "State lawmakers in Nevada, as is the case everywhere, are concerned about the costs and public safety issues associated with high probation and parole revocation rates among people with mental illnesses. In particular, we need to improve how this population is supervised, and this report highlights the research we should use to inform state policy and funding decisions."
The Guide indicates that community corrections and mental health officials are increasingly aware that they are serving the same individuals without positive effect. It explores the extent to which people with mental illnesses become involved in the community corrections system, and why traditional supervision and treatment strategies are not generally effective for this population. It also summarizes evidence-based and promising programs, strategies, and techniques to improve results for the justice system and people with mental illnesses. The Guide discusses how the current body of knowledge can help shape agency operations, program design and implementation. Research questions that should be investigated further to expand the evidence base are also identified.
"Community corrections agencies and mental health treatment providers are trying to figure out the best ways to coordinate or integrate their efforts to better serve people with mental illnesses and tailor new programs in ways that reduce recidivism and encourage recovery," said Morris Thigpen, Director of the National Institute of Corrections. "The Guide is an exciting new resource for two systems that are coming together around commonly defined goals to tackle these challenges."
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes (Soap Box Alert)
I've thought of many reasons to increase funding for those with mental illness, but I hadn't thought of this one:
CHICAGO — Ivory Jackson had Alzheimer's, but that wasn't what killed him. At 77, he was smashed in the face with a clock radio as he lay in his nursing home bed.
Jackson's roommate — a mentally ill man nearly 30 years younger — was arrested and charged with the killing. Police found him sitting next to the nurse's station, blood on his hands, clothes and shoes. Inside their room, the ceiling was spattered with blood.
"Why didn't they do what they needed to do to protect my dad?" wondered Jackson's stepson, Russell Smith.
Over the past several years, nursing homes have become dumping grounds for young and middle-age people with mental illness, according to Associated Press interviews and an analysis of data from all 50 states. And that has proved a prescription for violence, as Jackson's case and others across the country illustrate.
Younger, stronger residents with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder are living beside frail senior citizens, and sometimes taking their rage out on them.
"Sadly, we're seeing the tragic results of the failure of federal and state governments to provide appropriate treatment and housing for those with mental illnesses and to provide a safe environment for the frail elderly," said Janet Wells, director of public policy for the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.
read the whole story here.
I honestly believe the argument that states that we need to do away with state hospitals and long term involuntary treatment is fallacious. You have the convergence of two ideological platforms - the conservatives who do not like public spending of social programs and the ultra liberalists who believe that all treatment should be voluntary and at the home, then you have the Szaszists who believe that mental illness is a fallacy. Each of these groups are outspoken to the legislature. However, my informal poll suggests the majority of us believe in something totally different, we're just not willing to pay for it.
In a perfect world, our communities would be free from drugs, have plenty of compassionate citizens willing to care for and fund treatment in the community, families would be able to care for and supervise their loved ones 24 / 7, patients would not have side effects and would always take their medication as ordered. Heck, while we're dreaming, we might as well wish for a cure!
But we don't live in a perfect world and, if you don't want your grandmother in the same placement as the 40 year old with schizophrenia, then be willing to pay for it! You've probably heard the saying, "As one door shuts, another opens;" if you shut the doors to the placements then you open the bars to the jail cells.
Some argue that we have become more humane by doing away with the old style insane asylums. I argue we've replaced them with jails and prisons. Shock treatments? Now we have tazers executed by mere H. S. graduates and shock belts. Gassing? Now the same use pepper spray. Straight Jackets? Now we have restraint chairs. Cold Wet Sheet Packs? Now we just take their clothes off and give them concrete to lay on. This is therapeutic treatment in the jails that you and I pay $100+ a day for these hardened criminals that commit the offenses of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct.
Jail is not free, it is costly to the taxpayers. To house someone with mental illness costs anywhere from $80 - $140 / day.
Wouldn't it make much more sense to pay much less to house in an assisted living facility, group home, consumer ran group home, or an adult foster care? Why not be proactive rather than reactive. If you agree, let your legislators know. NOW is the time. We only have about 70 days, give or take, for the budgets to be determined. Tell them to fund mental health, re-entry bills, and mh parity bills.
CHICAGO — Ivory Jackson had Alzheimer's, but that wasn't what killed him. At 77, he was smashed in the face with a clock radio as he lay in his nursing home bed.
Jackson's roommate — a mentally ill man nearly 30 years younger — was arrested and charged with the killing. Police found him sitting next to the nurse's station, blood on his hands, clothes and shoes. Inside their room, the ceiling was spattered with blood.
"Why didn't they do what they needed to do to protect my dad?" wondered Jackson's stepson, Russell Smith.
Over the past several years, nursing homes have become dumping grounds for young and middle-age people with mental illness, according to Associated Press interviews and an analysis of data from all 50 states. And that has proved a prescription for violence, as Jackson's case and others across the country illustrate.
Younger, stronger residents with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder are living beside frail senior citizens, and sometimes taking their rage out on them.
"Sadly, we're seeing the tragic results of the failure of federal and state governments to provide appropriate treatment and housing for those with mental illnesses and to provide a safe environment for the frail elderly," said Janet Wells, director of public policy for the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.
read the whole story here.
I honestly believe the argument that states that we need to do away with state hospitals and long term involuntary treatment is fallacious. You have the convergence of two ideological platforms - the conservatives who do not like public spending of social programs and the ultra liberalists who believe that all treatment should be voluntary and at the home, then you have the Szaszists who believe that mental illness is a fallacy. Each of these groups are outspoken to the legislature. However, my informal poll suggests the majority of us believe in something totally different, we're just not willing to pay for it.
In a perfect world, our communities would be free from drugs, have plenty of compassionate citizens willing to care for and fund treatment in the community, families would be able to care for and supervise their loved ones 24 / 7, patients would not have side effects and would always take their medication as ordered. Heck, while we're dreaming, we might as well wish for a cure!
But we don't live in a perfect world and, if you don't want your grandmother in the same placement as the 40 year old with schizophrenia, then be willing to pay for it! You've probably heard the saying, "As one door shuts, another opens;" if you shut the doors to the placements then you open the bars to the jail cells.
Some argue that we have become more humane by doing away with the old style insane asylums. I argue we've replaced them with jails and prisons. Shock treatments? Now we have tazers executed by mere H. S. graduates and shock belts. Gassing? Now the same use pepper spray. Straight Jackets? Now we have restraint chairs. Cold Wet Sheet Packs? Now we just take their clothes off and give them concrete to lay on. This is therapeutic treatment in the jails that you and I pay $100+ a day for these hardened criminals that commit the offenses of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct.
Jail is not free, it is costly to the taxpayers. To house someone with mental illness costs anywhere from $80 - $140 / day.
Wouldn't it make much more sense to pay much less to house in an assisted living facility, group home, consumer ran group home, or an adult foster care? Why not be proactive rather than reactive. If you agree, let your legislators know. NOW is the time. We only have about 70 days, give or take, for the budgets to be determined. Tell them to fund mental health, re-entry bills, and mh parity bills.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mental Illness and the Death Penalty
Download this fact sheet on mental illness and the death penalty from Prevention not Punishment.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Insanity Defense and Game Theory
In researching the proposed changes to 46C in HB 1150 & SB 168 I came across a journal editorial that compares Nash's Equilibrium in Game Theory to how the Insanity Defense COULD be utilized. It is worth the time to read. Having been printed in 2002, it is before Yates' original verdict was overturned, but that has little impact on the gest of the article.
Gov. Perry Appoints Four to Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments Advisory Committee
From the Governor's Office News Section:
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed four members to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2013. The committee provides a formal structure for criminal justice, health and human service, and other organizations to communicate and coordinate on policy, legislative, and program issues affecting offenders with special needs.
John Bradley of Georgetown is the Williamson County District Attorney. He is a board member of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, and a member of the State Bar of Texas. He is also a past member and secretary of the Williamson County Bail Bond Board and a past member of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Crime of Victims and Witnesses. Bradley received a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a law degree from the University of Houston. He is being reappointed and will continue to serve as chair.
Kathryn J. Kotrla of Georgetown is associate dean of the of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association, American College of Psychiatry, Society for Neuroscience, and Williamson County Medical Society. She serves on the Mental Health Transformation Work Group and Local Authority Network Advisory Committee. Kotrla received a bachelor’s degree from Rice University, a master’s degree in biology from Stanford University and a medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine. She is being reappointed.
John L. Moore of Denison is a retired U.S. Marshal. He is a member of the Texas Sheriff’s Association, and a life member of the Texas National Guard Association, U.S. Disabled Veteran’s Association, and Texas Mounted Police Association. He is also a charter member of the National World War II Historical Museum. Moore served in the U.S. Army and Texas National and State Guard, and received the Bronze Star Medal by the U.S. Army, the Adjutant General’s Individual Award by the Texas National Guard and the Texas Medal of Merit by the Texas State Guard. He received an associate’s degree from Amarillo College and a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University. He replaces Lisa Kaufman of Georgetown.
Eulon R. Taylor of Austin is clinical director of Austin State Hospital. He is a member of the American Psychiatry Association, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians and Hastings Center of Bioethics. He served in the U.S. Navy as a staff psychiatrist, and received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio. He is being reappointed.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed four members to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2013. The committee provides a formal structure for criminal justice, health and human service, and other organizations to communicate and coordinate on policy, legislative, and program issues affecting offenders with special needs.
John Bradley of Georgetown is the Williamson County District Attorney. He is a board member of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, and a member of the State Bar of Texas. He is also a past member and secretary of the Williamson County Bail Bond Board and a past member of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Crime of Victims and Witnesses. Bradley received a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a law degree from the University of Houston. He is being reappointed and will continue to serve as chair.
Kathryn J. Kotrla of Georgetown is associate dean of the of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association, American College of Psychiatry, Society for Neuroscience, and Williamson County Medical Society. She serves on the Mental Health Transformation Work Group and Local Authority Network Advisory Committee. Kotrla received a bachelor’s degree from Rice University, a master’s degree in biology from Stanford University and a medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine. She is being reappointed.
John L. Moore of Denison is a retired U.S. Marshal. He is a member of the Texas Sheriff’s Association, and a life member of the Texas National Guard Association, U.S. Disabled Veteran’s Association, and Texas Mounted Police Association. He is also a charter member of the National World War II Historical Museum. Moore served in the U.S. Army and Texas National and State Guard, and received the Bronze Star Medal by the U.S. Army, the Adjutant General’s Individual Award by the Texas National Guard and the Texas Medal of Merit by the Texas State Guard. He received an associate’s degree from Amarillo College and a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University. He replaces Lisa Kaufman of Georgetown.
Eulon R. Taylor of Austin is clinical director of Austin State Hospital. He is a member of the American Psychiatry Association, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians and Hastings Center of Bioethics. He served in the U.S. Navy as a staff psychiatrist, and received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio. He is being reappointed.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Smith County DA, Matt Bingham, Speaks Out Against Postpartum Depression Defense
Matt Bingham does not support HB 3318 that provides that postpartum depression is a defense to infanticide with the penalty being 2 years in a state jail facility.
I would have to agree with him on this one, folks. If the mother meets the legal standards for insanity then 46C applies, if her mental health is a mitigating circumstance, then use it as such. This law provides for no standard definition of the level of mens rea. It makes no mandate for mental health treatment in the state jail facility or afterwards. This law sets a mother up for suicide. If mental health treatment is not mandated, nobody is going to donate it!
However, it gets Matt Bingham on the news talking about mental health issues which is an anomaly in itself!
Postpartum depression could be used as legal defense for mothers
Click here for the video.
By Courtney Lane - bio | email
Posted by Ellen Krafve - email
TYLER, TX (KLTV) - Texas could become the first state to have an infanticide law. Democratic state representative Jessica Farrar of Houston filed the bill earlier this month.
If the bill is passed, a mother who killed her baby and suffered from postpartum depression, would get a maximum sentence of two years in jail.
In 2003, Deanna Laney used rocks to stone and kill two of her sons. She was found "not guilty by reason of insanity." Smith County D.A. Matt Bingham says this new bill would not affect cases like Laney's. Instead, it would apply to mothers who suffer from Postpartum Depression - a far less severe illness.
"I think 80 percent [of new mothers] suffer from some form of Postpartum Depression after birth but most of them do not kill their children," said Bingham.
If they do suffer from depression, Bingham says jurors can already take that into consideration.
"But, they could never access two years in state jail facility, which is the same punishment you get if you write a 1500 hot check," said Bingham. "To me that's just ridiculous."
That's right. If the bill passed, a woman suffering from depression who killed her baby within 12 months of birth could only be sentenced to two years.
"When parents do such things to babies who are one day old to 12 months in this bill and they know it's wrong to do it, and they do it anyway, they should be prosecuted and they should be punished severely whether it's the death penalty or life without parole," said Bingham.
He says passing the bill would be a slippery slope because murder suspects already try to plead insanity. With this, mother's could use a far less severe illness, and one that's more prevalent to get away with a crime.
"If mothers know that this is out there, there's always a possibility that they can do something horrific like kill their child that's 12 months or younger and try to use this as a defense," he said.
Bingham believes the bill is too far fetched and will never pass. Postpartum Depression is recognized as a legal defense in some other nations, but nowhere here in the United States.
I would have to agree with him on this one, folks. If the mother meets the legal standards for insanity then 46C applies, if her mental health is a mitigating circumstance, then use it as such. This law provides for no standard definition of the level of mens rea. It makes no mandate for mental health treatment in the state jail facility or afterwards. This law sets a mother up for suicide. If mental health treatment is not mandated, nobody is going to donate it!
However, it gets Matt Bingham on the news talking about mental health issues which is an anomaly in itself!
Postpartum depression could be used as legal defense for mothers
Click here for the video.
By Courtney Lane - bio | email
Posted by Ellen Krafve - email
TYLER, TX (KLTV) - Texas could become the first state to have an infanticide law. Democratic state representative Jessica Farrar of Houston filed the bill earlier this month.
If the bill is passed, a mother who killed her baby and suffered from postpartum depression, would get a maximum sentence of two years in jail.
In 2003, Deanna Laney used rocks to stone and kill two of her sons. She was found "not guilty by reason of insanity." Smith County D.A. Matt Bingham says this new bill would not affect cases like Laney's. Instead, it would apply to mothers who suffer from Postpartum Depression - a far less severe illness.
"I think 80 percent [of new mothers] suffer from some form of Postpartum Depression after birth but most of them do not kill their children," said Bingham.
If they do suffer from depression, Bingham says jurors can already take that into consideration.
"But, they could never access two years in state jail facility, which is the same punishment you get if you write a 1500 hot check," said Bingham. "To me that's just ridiculous."
That's right. If the bill passed, a woman suffering from depression who killed her baby within 12 months of birth could only be sentenced to two years.
"When parents do such things to babies who are one day old to 12 months in this bill and they know it's wrong to do it, and they do it anyway, they should be prosecuted and they should be punished severely whether it's the death penalty or life without parole," said Bingham.
He says passing the bill would be a slippery slope because murder suspects already try to plead insanity. With this, mother's could use a far less severe illness, and one that's more prevalent to get away with a crime.
"If mothers know that this is out there, there's always a possibility that they can do something horrific like kill their child that's 12 months or younger and try to use this as a defense," he said.
Bingham believes the bill is too far fetched and will never pass. Postpartum Depression is recognized as a legal defense in some other nations, but nowhere here in the United States.
Shock Belt Pro Se
From the Dallas News Crime Blog:
Defendant representing himself in Dallas County case acts oddly before jury
Today, March 24, 2009, 4 hours ago | Jennifer Emily
Miles Fleming is representing himself in a Dallas County aggravated assault case.
That's odd enough.
But Fleming must wear a shock belt under his shirt. Yesterday, during jury selection, he lifted up his shirt to show jurors the shock belt amidst talking about how he is an outlaw.
A shock belt is a device meant to deter someone from acting out violently. Should a defendant try to hit someone or doing something else he shouldn't, a bailiff can remotely shock them with electricity.
Fleming, 38, apparently also thinks the free masons are out to get him.
This case is the talk of the Frank Crowley courthouse. Defense attorneys and prosecutors are stopping by to watch when they can spare a few minutes.
The jury will likely get the case this afternoon to decide guilt or innocence.
Fleming is accused of assaulting a coworker on a roofing job in July 2003. The assault happened not long after Fleming's girlfriend called to say she was cheating on him.
Defendant representing himself in Dallas County case acts oddly before jury
Today, March 24, 2009, 4 hours ago | Jennifer Emily
Miles Fleming is representing himself in a Dallas County aggravated assault case.
That's odd enough.
But Fleming must wear a shock belt under his shirt. Yesterday, during jury selection, he lifted up his shirt to show jurors the shock belt amidst talking about how he is an outlaw.
A shock belt is a device meant to deter someone from acting out violently. Should a defendant try to hit someone or doing something else he shouldn't, a bailiff can remotely shock them with electricity.
Fleming, 38, apparently also thinks the free masons are out to get him.
This case is the talk of the Frank Crowley courthouse. Defense attorneys and prosecutors are stopping by to watch when they can spare a few minutes.
The jury will likely get the case this afternoon to decide guilt or innocence.
Fleming is accused of assaulting a coworker on a roofing job in July 2003. The assault happened not long after Fleming's girlfriend called to say she was cheating on him.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Input is requested on Understanding the Impact of Mental Illnesses on Parole and Probation Outcomes
Understanding the Impact of Mental Illnesses on Parole and Probation Outcomes
The Council of State Governments Justice Center is interested in understanding the impact of mental illnesses on parole and probation outcomes and specialized community correction responses for offenders with mental illnesses. A frequent barrier to understanding these issues is the lack of valid data on the prevalence and severity of mental illnesses on parole and probation caseloads. The Justice Center would like to identify probation or parole agencies with a high level of data analysis capacity and the ability to address the following questions:
1. Do you use a mental health screening process, and if so, does this process rely on a validated screening instrument (meaning research in has been conducted in the jurisdiction or in other localities showing that the screening accurately identifies mentally ill persons)? Is there an assessment process that follows screening? How is this information recorded (e.g. electronically or via paper records), who records it, and does it inform caseload assignments?
2. Is the mental health screening process or instrument standardized across counties and/or across jails and prisons?
3. What type of risk instrument is being used and has it been validated? How is this information recorded, who records it, and how does it inform caseload assignments?
4. Does the probation/parole agency have access to mental health information about referred individuals from jails/prisons? If so, how is this information transferred to the probation/parole agency?
5. Does the probation/parole agency have access to risk information about referred individuals from jails/prisons? If so, how is this information transferred to the probation/parole agency?
If you can shed light on these issues and would be willing to participate in a 45-60 minute phone interview, please email Hope Glassberg at the Council of State Governments (hglassberg@csg.org) or call 646-383-5737.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center is interested in understanding the impact of mental illnesses on parole and probation outcomes and specialized community correction responses for offenders with mental illnesses. A frequent barrier to understanding these issues is the lack of valid data on the prevalence and severity of mental illnesses on parole and probation caseloads. The Justice Center would like to identify probation or parole agencies with a high level of data analysis capacity and the ability to address the following questions:
1. Do you use a mental health screening process, and if so, does this process rely on a validated screening instrument (meaning research in has been conducted in the jurisdiction or in other localities showing that the screening accurately identifies mentally ill persons)? Is there an assessment process that follows screening? How is this information recorded (e.g. electronically or via paper records), who records it, and does it inform caseload assignments?
2. Is the mental health screening process or instrument standardized across counties and/or across jails and prisons?
3. What type of risk instrument is being used and has it been validated? How is this information recorded, who records it, and how does it inform caseload assignments?
4. Does the probation/parole agency have access to mental health information about referred individuals from jails/prisons? If so, how is this information transferred to the probation/parole agency?
5. Does the probation/parole agency have access to risk information about referred individuals from jails/prisons? If so, how is this information transferred to the probation/parole agency?
If you can shed light on these issues and would be willing to participate in a 45-60 minute phone interview, please email Hope Glassberg at the Council of State Governments (hglassberg@csg.org) or call 646-383-5737.
Court Innovations talks about Problem-Solving Courts
Court Innovations talks about Problem-Solving Courts. One discussion is the lack of best practices model courts or standardization.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Changing Insanity Law in Texas
HB 1150 Thompson
Relating to the insanity defense in a criminal case.
Changes "know" to "appreciate," and allows that the jury is aware that the defendant will be committed to treatment if found NGRI.
Relating to the insanity defense in a criminal case.
Changes "know" to "appreciate," and allows that the jury is aware that the defendant will be committed to treatment if found NGRI.
More committee assignments
More committee assignments:
SB 1296 Hegar
Relating to the certification of a county jailer as a special officer for offenders with mental impairments.
Criminal Justice
SB 1323 Whitmire
Relating to the amount of a surcharge assessed on conviction of certain intoxicated driver offenses on the driver's license of certain persons who complete a drug court program.
Criminal Justice
This one reduces the surcharge on the driver's license of those that complete a drug court program. The large surcharge has been criticized by the drug court programs in being prohibitive in obtaining and maintaining employment extremely difficult, especially those requiring driving.
SB 1395 Zaffirini
Relating to the use of person first respectful language in reference to individuals with disabilities.
Health & Human Services
SB 1455 West
Relating to the operation of prison diversion progressive sanctions programs.
Criminal Justice
SB 1477 Uresti
Relating to certain judicial findings required before a court may order a person to receive extended outpatient mental health services.
Jurisprudence
SB 1505 Whitmire
Relating to the arrest and release on bail or other form of bond of certain criminal defendants with a mental illness or with mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1557 Duncan
Relating to the early identification of criminal defendants who are or may be persons with mental illness or mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1139 Hinojosa
Relating to the applicability of the death penalty to a capital offense committed by a person with mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1198 Van de Putte
Relating to the court-ordered administration of psychoactive medication to certain criminal defendants.
Criminal Justice
SB 1296 Hegar
Relating to the certification of a county jailer as a special officer for offenders with mental impairments.
Criminal Justice
SB 1323 Whitmire
Relating to the amount of a surcharge assessed on conviction of certain intoxicated driver offenses on the driver's license of certain persons who complete a drug court program.
Criminal Justice
This one reduces the surcharge on the driver's license of those that complete a drug court program. The large surcharge has been criticized by the drug court programs in being prohibitive in obtaining and maintaining employment extremely difficult, especially those requiring driving.
SB 1395 Zaffirini
Relating to the use of person first respectful language in reference to individuals with disabilities.
Health & Human Services
SB 1455 West
Relating to the operation of prison diversion progressive sanctions programs.
Criminal Justice
SB 1477 Uresti
Relating to certain judicial findings required before a court may order a person to receive extended outpatient mental health services.
Jurisprudence
SB 1505 Whitmire
Relating to the arrest and release on bail or other form of bond of certain criminal defendants with a mental illness or with mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1557 Duncan
Relating to the early identification of criminal defendants who are or may be persons with mental illness or mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1139 Hinojosa
Relating to the applicability of the death penalty to a capital offense committed by a person with mental retardation.
Criminal Justice
SB 1198 Van de Putte
Relating to the court-ordered administration of psychoactive medication to certain criminal defendants.
Criminal Justice
Actions referred to committees
Here are some relevant bills that were referred to committees yesterday, 3/20/09:
SB 1626 Wentworth
Relating to the reporting of certain confidential statements made to a mental health professional.
Health & Human Services
If passed, this bill compels mental health professionals to warn law enforcement if their client threatens a third party. At present, there is no duty to warn in Texas.
SB 1627 Wentworth
Relating to the collection of biometric identifiers of certain persons receiving inpatient mental health services.
Health & Human Services
Not sure of the utility or reasoning why we need the fingerprints and DNA of those committed to Vernon State Hospital. Any thoughts?
SB 1648 Van de Putte
Relating to providing outreach and behavioral health services to certain military service veterans and their families and providing for the creation of clinical practice guidelines.
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
It would appear that this bill will allow DSHS funded community MHMR centers to provide behavioral healthcare to veterans. Also, these services would be reimbursed by the VA.
SB 1665 Wentworth
Relating to post-commitment treatment and supervision of persons with mental illness who are manifestly dangerous.
Health & Human Services
It would appear that the intent of this bill is to allow the conditional release of mental health patients who were once considered manifestly dangerous into outpatient treatment. It would appear that there is a great deal of conditions with a significant financial burden for community centers. Will the lege transfer the inpatient funding resources to the outpatient community centers? I seriously doubt it. This has always been the problem with outpatient commitment options. I would like to see the research and cost analysis on this proposal before I agree with it.
SB 1786 Whitmire
Relating to requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to establish a comprehensive reentry and reintegration plan for offenders released or discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
Looking at the text, this bill looks good, no, great! It even includes continuity with the family with special attention for the child(ren) of the offender. Again, funding is the key. There are some federal reentry grants out there, but these will only go so far.
SB 1847 Hegar
Relating to the provision of services to a wrongfully imprisoned person who is discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
SB 1848 West
Relating to the provision of reentry, reintegration, and other services to a wrongfully imprisoned person who is discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
I will look at committee assignments earlier in the week to see if there are anything of interest.
SB 1626 Wentworth
Relating to the reporting of certain confidential statements made to a mental health professional.
Health & Human Services
If passed, this bill compels mental health professionals to warn law enforcement if their client threatens a third party. At present, there is no duty to warn in Texas.
SB 1627 Wentworth
Relating to the collection of biometric identifiers of certain persons receiving inpatient mental health services.
Health & Human Services
Not sure of the utility or reasoning why we need the fingerprints and DNA of those committed to Vernon State Hospital. Any thoughts?
SB 1648 Van de Putte
Relating to providing outreach and behavioral health services to certain military service veterans and their families and providing for the creation of clinical practice guidelines.
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
It would appear that this bill will allow DSHS funded community MHMR centers to provide behavioral healthcare to veterans. Also, these services would be reimbursed by the VA.
SB 1665 Wentworth
Relating to post-commitment treatment and supervision of persons with mental illness who are manifestly dangerous.
Health & Human Services
It would appear that the intent of this bill is to allow the conditional release of mental health patients who were once considered manifestly dangerous into outpatient treatment. It would appear that there is a great deal of conditions with a significant financial burden for community centers. Will the lege transfer the inpatient funding resources to the outpatient community centers? I seriously doubt it. This has always been the problem with outpatient commitment options. I would like to see the research and cost analysis on this proposal before I agree with it.
SB 1786 Whitmire
Relating to requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to establish a comprehensive reentry and reintegration plan for offenders released or discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
Looking at the text, this bill looks good, no, great! It even includes continuity with the family with special attention for the child(ren) of the offender. Again, funding is the key. There are some federal reentry grants out there, but these will only go so far.
SB 1847 Hegar
Relating to the provision of services to a wrongfully imprisoned person who is discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
SB 1848 West
Relating to the provision of reentry, reintegration, and other services to a wrongfully imprisoned person who is discharged from a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice
I will look at committee assignments earlier in the week to see if there are anything of interest.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Texas Scores a "D" for Mental Health
Texas can brag that the impact of the economic crisis is mild, but try and tell that to the hundreds of thousands of people on waiting lists for mental health services. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) gave Texas a D for Mental Health Services, down from a C in the 2006 report. Click here for the Texas Score Card and for the full report of the United States, click here. Innovations include Bexar County Jail Diversion, and urgent needs include funding for treatment in the community and improved access to services. Let's face it, if state hospitals are losing funding, and the advocacy groups want to close the state schools, where will these folks end up if not able to receive treatment locally? IN JAIL! This is a crisis driven system and all research supports that this is ultimately the most expensive system for the taxpayers. The best jail diversion and hospital diversion programs include plans to fund preventative and maintenance mental health programs. Pay a little now or a whole lot later! Would you rather spend $350 for one day of treatment at a state hospital because you are in crisis or $350 for one month in your community where you live? How much would you be willing to spend if it prevents a gruesome tragedy such as that in the case of Andre Thomas? Now we Texans will be spending $5 million to execute him (probably more in his case). How many people would $5 million treat and for how long? Texas taxpayers are saying to the Texas legislature that they are willing to risk tragedies such as that in Thomas' family AND the risk of having to pay the millions to execute him because it means we don't have to adequately pay for indigent mental health care. Would Texans rather live under this belief that the death penalty deters even the most psychotic, substance induced individual that we need to continue to funnel millions of dollars into supporting the death penalty when the cure can come in to the form of involuntary outpatient commitments and a $5.00 pill? Albeit, we cannot tell which person is the next Andre Thomas, but I guess for now, Texans are willing to risk it to save (or at least have the false belief they are saving) money. Email your legislator, tell them to fund mental health services. In this area, the waiting list is one year long!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
