With fewer facilities in our state and across the country, for mental health care, the prison and jail system's are seeing the fallout.
Here in Nebraska, corrections officials tell us more and more inmates are bringing their mental problems with them behind bars.
It's a problem, experts call an epidemic.
“In the last three-five years, we watched our jail population, change dramatically,” said Douglas County Department of Corrections Director Dr. Mark Foxall.
A 2004 law signed by then Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns. closed two mental health hospitals, which shifted services were also shifted to community based facilities. Foxall said the jail, ended up becoming one of those facilities.
“I think the problem is so severe, something needs to be done today,” he said.
And they are trying.
The jail partnered with the Douglas County Human Health Services. There's a diversion program, medical support and even ramped up training for staff.
But it's still jail, which means the stay isn't that long.
“(It’s) difficult to provide some long-lasting intervention if you're only in jail for a few hours or a couple of days, you see a high, recidivism rate with these individuals,” said Foxall.
The mental health problem is on the rise, with the inmates suffering from anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder and depression.
25 percent of some inmates have anxiety, but a whopping 33 percent suffer from depression.
“Our criminal justice has been our largest area in the county budget, but the mental health issue has increased over the years as well,” said Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson.
She’s been a heavy voice in advocating the issue and trying to find a solution.
Borgeson said essentially the trickle down goes to you, the taxpayer.
“We increased our mental health personnel over there, the drugs, we increased the time the psychiatrist is over there, implemented various programs,” said Borgeson.
Criminal justice has been the county’s largest area in the county budget, but the mental health issue has increased over the years as well.
“It has actually an offset, believe it or not, has helped us keep our budget down by being able to have some programs that are beneficial to the individual,” she said.
Borgeson also sits on the board for the National Association of County Officials. In a program called “Stepping Up,” counties across the country are looking at solutions.
“Now we have all levels of government at the table, working at it at the same time. It’s Beneficial to have a solution,” said Borgeson.
Some of those solutions include diversion programs, revamping emergency systems, looking at mental health court and Veterans Court.
And on the local level, Foxall said it's a work in progress.
“The light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, is there are a lot of individuals, who usually wouldn't gather at the table to talk about this issue, working on some type of resolution, it's not just a jail problem, it's a community-wide problem, “he said.
The jail is working with the county attorney, city prosecutor, Omaha Police and other community programs.
