Mental Health Issues are Linked to many Jail Suicides in States Across the U.S., and Many are Taking Action
Texas county jails have a high rate of prisoner suicide. It is a problem many states are currently facing, and it is linked to mental illness. San Diego County in California had the highest number of suicides in that state over a course of years and prepared a detailed report, in an effort to find answers. The report is called “Suicides in San Diego County Jail: A System Failing People with Mental Illness.” Among the findings and recommendations was that a community-based system of mental health services should be improved, to end over-incarceration of people who have mental illness.
The statistics at the San Diego County Jail seem to be a representation of overall county jails, with 82.3% of the people who committed suicide having a clear indication and history of mental health needs.
Texas legislators have recognized a similar problem. Laws were changed in Texas on June 15, 2017, when the Sandra Bland Act was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The law was named after Sandra Bland, who died of suicide in Waller County Jail in Hempstead after three days of incarceration. The 28-year-old had been pulled over for an alleged minor traffic violation. An argument between her and a Waller County police officer escalated into an altercation. The dashcam video of her exchange with the police officer went viral on social media, and protests over her death occurred in many places across the U.S. It was ultimately determined that Bland had a background of depression. It is widely believed prisoners with such mental health issues and others should be protected from the possibility of suicide when incarcerated.
The action taken in Texas is that prisoners who have mental health issues will quickly be provided with needed treatment. The procedure is that a magistrate must be informed within 12 hours of an individual being booked into jail that the person has a mental health issue or mental disability. A mental health professional is supposed to examine the individual, who could be transferred to a mental health facility.
Bexar County in Texas has been very proactive in addressing custodial suicides. They formed a mental health unit, the first of its kind in Texas. The purpose is prevent prisoner suicides from occurring in Bexar County Jail. As one member of the mental health unit said, prisoners who have mental health problems need empathy.
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