Texas
Related: About this forumMentally ill languish in Texas jails despite funding hike
By MEREDITH HOFFMAN
May. 24, 2017
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Though a judge deemed her mentally unfit to stand trial fourteen months ago, Jennifer Lampkin is still sitting in an Austin jail cell because there are no free spots for her at the states psychiatric hospitals.
Lampkin, 35, has both intellectual disabilities and a mental illness, and without treatment, the court couldnt reassess her competency to stand trial on an assault charge for allegedly slapping a child, which might at least allow her case to progress.
I dont think she understands why she remains in jail, said her attorney, Elsie Craven. Shes stressed because she doesnt know whats going to happen. I dont believe shes getting the treatment she needs. How could she? Shes in jail.
Lampkin is one of hundreds of mentally ill Texas inmates who have been stuck in jail for months waiting for a spot at one of the states overcrowded and understaffed mental hospitals. Though such problems arent unique to Texas, its inmates face among the nations longest waits to receive psychiatric treatment and the problem is only getting worse despite recent efforts to improve the situation.
The average wait for a maximum security inmate to get in-patient psychiatric treatment has nearly doubled in the past two years, to 127 days, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
more
https://www.apnews.com/d0509550e77c447b9b222a051ee561ad/Mentally-ill-languish-in-Texas-jails-despite-funding-hike
Dustlawyer
(10,499 posts)Is ancient and decrepit. Has to be worse than prison there. Mentally ill in Texas are used and abused!
tazkcmo
(7,306 posts)A bunch of sociopaths cutting budgets for tax cuts while crowding people into inhuman conditions. Barf.
I get so embarrassed at how we treat the less able of our society. It helps to read stuff from reasonable, sane DUers in order to remember there are good people still.