(10-31-18) How do you start an effort in your community to reduce the inappropriate incarceration of persons with mental illnesses?
Cynthia Kemp, a deputy director at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, gave attendees at a Louisiana Mental Health Summit yesterday in Baton Rogue, a step-by-step explanation based on how Arlington County, Va., launched its national recognized jail diversion system.
“Begin with a champion,” Kemp told the 300 community leaders, who were invited by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (R.) to the summit.
It could be a judge, sheriff, police chief, state legislator, mayor – anyone who understands that locking up people who are sick is a waste of tax dollars and human potential.
Step Two: Hit the streets. Talk to the police to learn what problems they face because of persons with mental illnesses becoming entrapped in the criminal justice system. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 40% of persons with a serious mental illness will have an encounter with the police. 49% of all fatal police shootings involve someone with a mental illness. In addition to the police, advocates need to speak with public defenders, judges, prosecutors, local mental health providers, parents and persons with lived experience – and identify what barriers they see keeping individuals from getting decent care.