Overcrowded correctional facilities are a serious criminal justice issue that many states in our country faced. And, in times of sharp budget cuts that involve closing facilities, laying off workers or implementing hiring freezes, the problems of capacity are worsened by a lack of sufficient staffing. This is an issue that affects all inmates, but one group of inmates is being particularly affected: mentally ill inmates.
The Pilot Online recently took a look at the situation of mentally ill inmates in the Chesapeake Correctional Center and what they discovered isn’t just about overcrowding or ensuring adequate treatment (although those issues are important); also at stake is the safety of other inmates and staff who work with the mentally ill.
Currently at the Chesapeake Correctional Center, there are 300 mentally ill patients, of which an estimated 50 should really be in a mental health facility where adequate treatment would be available. And that number is only expected to grow. An outside consulting group estimated that by 2031, the jail will need 504 mental health beds. Those numbers far exceed the facility’s capacity for housing mentally ill inmates, which currently stands at 21 beds dedicated specifically for the mentally ill and another 21 for inmates with general medical problems, which are frequently used for mentally ill inmates.
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