(July 14, 2016) A new comprehensive national survey of staff in county jails released today by Public Citizen and the Treatment Advocacy Center shows challenges faced by county jails, almost all of which reported housing inmates with serious mental illnesses.
The survey, sought to understand the point of view of front line workers at county jails, including sheriffs, deputies and other staff who have to care for seriously mentally ill inmates during their incarceration. The report describes the numerous challenges faced by county jail staff, as well as the limited training they are given, to address the needs of inmates with serious mental illnesses.
The incarceration rate for Americans with serious mental illnesses has reached a critical stage because many of these individuals are predisposed by their illnesses to committing minor crimes (such as trespassing or shoplifting), landing in jails and racking up prolonged incarceration time awaiting a state psychiatric bed. Many of them receive no or inadequate mental health treatment during their incarceration, which worsens their conditions.
The survey obtained responses from 230 sheriffs’ departments in 39 states that operate jail facilities or detention centers. These survey data constitute the most thorough national feedback on the perspective of county jail staff in more than two decades.
John Snook, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center said, “The horror stories from family members and law enforcement alike should galvanize the country to make substantial reforms to our mental health system that would allow necessary and appropriate treatment before people become entangled in the criminal justice system.”
Read the full survey and results.