Our prisons are filled with mentally ill individuals, some of whom were born with disabilities, and others who have been damaged by circumstances and environment. All mentally ill offenders have their own unique conditions and needs, yet all too often they are simply cycled through the criminal justice system. Regardless of the crime committed, many do not receive the treatment they need to overcome or learn to deal with their issues while locked up. What does a mentally ill individual with no support and limited resources do once they are released from jail? Sadly, once they are in the system, they tend to stay trapped in it.
Many states are now looking at different ways of handling these individuals. Treatment, rather than jail time, not only ends up costing states much less, but also gives these individuals who are suffering a second chance- an opportunity to go forward with new knowledge and an ability to make better choices. In Utah, judges are issuing drug sentences with less jail time and more treatment, with hopes of preventing repeat offenses. Officials in Arkansas are looking at diversion programs for treating mentally ill individuals and drug addicted individuals, as opposed to locking them up in an already overcrowded jail.
Here in Arizona, Maricopa County’s psychiatric crisis facilities have more than doubled in the last year. In addition to expansions in the existing centers, including more beds added to a crisis center in Peoria, a new psychiatric emergency center was opened in Mesa. There are about 100 more beds available than there were less than a year ago. It is still not enough, by any means, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
A mentally ill individual who has been accused of a crime needs a criminal defense lawyer with experience in this area. Bernardo Garcia has been representing mentally ill defendants for over 20 years. If you are in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, contact Garcia Law Firm, PLC today regarding your mental health defense needs.
Read original article here.
