(Oct. 14, 2016) Texas, like many other states, is struggling to provide treatment for individuals with serious mental illness.
The Treatment Advocacy Center’s 2016 Going Going Gonereport found that Texas is one of just 16 states with fewer than 10 state hospital beds per 100,000 people. Without necessary beds, those in need are becoming trapped in jail cells rather receiving care in a hospital. Consequently, average wait time for inmates needing a state hospital bed rose from approximately 20 days in 2014 to 122 days in April of this year, according to the Dallas Morning News.
In July, Disability Rights Texas challenged this situation, bringing a class action lawsuit representing 280 people in Texas jails awaiting treatment after being declared incompetent to stand trial. This is the second time Disability Rights Texas has sued over this issue — a 2012 suit was ultimately overturned on appeal due to a technicality.
But even amidst these monumental obstacles, we see individuals and organizations stepping up to do their part.
And last week, the Texas Annual Criminal Justice Conference and Training Institute held its five-day conference with a special focus on the mental health issues in coordinating with the National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice and the Texas Criminal Justice Association. National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jon Thompson put the issue in a national context, explaining “the No. 1 issue facing sheriffs in this country right now is mental health and mental health treatment, bar none.” (Mental Health is ‘No. 1’ Issue Facing Texas, U.S. Jails, Rivard Report, Oct. 11, 2016)
Bexar County’s successful pre-trial jail diversion programs were highlighted, as were the issues related to high-utilizers. “Some of the mental health issue is a high recidivism rate… our jail is becoming a de-facto state hospital and it’s just not right,” Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said. “No. 1, from a moral standpoint, and No. 2, it’s not efficient financially. It’s irresponsible to handle people that way.”
(Photo: WisperToMe)