Benton County wants $5M jail unit for mentally ill inmates
Tri-City HeraldApr 02, 2017
The next morning, she has a seizure and is taken to a hospital. She doesn't talk at first, but eventually admits she ingested "a bunch of dope" before her arrest.
A doctor has bad news: The mass is too far down to pump out and it may be too large to pass naturally. The doctor advises surgery.
The original infraction was minor, and jail officials hasten to release the woman so she can pursue treatment. Two hours later, she leaves the hospital, untreated, her fate unknown.
Each new jail arrival is different, but staff confront the same questions each time someone appears at the intake door. Is the person healthy enough to house in the general population? Sick enough to need medical attention? Distraught enough to need monitoring? Mentally ill enough to need extra support?
Since 2012, the answer to the last question increasingly is "yes."
"It's a nightmare," said
Now, the county wants to build a
"It's just not a therapeutic environment," Hatcher said.
The county commissioners have authorized about
They haven't given their final approval, pending research into possible grants to help pay for the construction cost.
"We are committed to not only develop, but create the best mental health system that we can in the incarceration system," said Commissioner
If built, the mental health unit would be the latest addition to a growing list of tools the county is using to get its arms around its mental health challenge, and to comply with the state's move to integrate mental health and physical health services in 2020.
Treat people in community, not jail
Outside of the jail, at least two groups are discussing how to create a community-based center to serve people before they commit crimes and land in the jail.
Former
In another initiative, commissioners from both counties have discussed using vacant space at the former Kennewick
The approaches are different, but the aims are the same: Treat people with mental illness in the community, not in jail.
But even if a community-based system gets off the ground, Hatcher points out the jail needs an appropriate space for people with mental health issues who commit serious crimes.
"The actual criminals need to come to jail," he said.
At any given time, the
Sometimes it's obvious at booking or the inmate is known to jail staff. Sometimes, issues emerge as the stress of incarceration mounts.
"Our facility is just not designed for the mental health people," Hatcher said.
A mental health crisis
The increase in mental health cases began around 2012.
While the reason isn't clear, even to law enforcement, the crisis peaked in
His death was ruled a drug-related accident despite active monitoring by deputies. Former Sheriff
Moreno's family is seeking
As designed, the proposed new mental health unit would give staff a clear view of all inmates and a calming environment. The average jail stay in
As the county's elected leaders contemplate funding and if 24 beds is the right size, Hatcher is impatient to break ground.
"Tomorrow would be great for me," he said.
When the jail identifies an inmate who has mental health issues, that person is referred to an interdisciplinary team of case workers, chaplains, psychologists and others. The team meets at the jail every Thursday to review the status of each person. The model has drawn attention from around the state.
A year ago this month, the county instituted a mental health court to provide alternatives to incarceration for defendants who are mentally ill. The court can serve up to 42 defendants and has a waiting list.
It is funded by the county's public safety tax, the 0.3 percent sales tax approved by voters in 2014. The tax applies to most though not all retail sales in the county.
Hatcher calls the mental health court a double-edged blessing. It provides a needed service to participants, but it only accepts people who agree to follow its rules and are good candidates to comply with their sentences.
Inmates who've lost touch with reality or are unable to care for themselves don't meet the criteria.
"Your jails are left with the sickest of the sick," Hatcher said.
___
(c)2017 Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.)
Visit Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.) at www.tri-cityherald.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.