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Kansas Jails Add New Services For Those With Mental Illness
Kansas jails add mental health services for inmates, stating 30 percent of the inmates struggle with mental illness and substance abuse.
Sedgwick County has taken several steps to make mental health services accessible for inmates in the county jail. Wichita Eagle reports that Sedgwick County Commission launched a national effort, Stepping Up Initiative, to reduce the number of inmates with mental illness in the jail.
Sheriff Jeff Easter says one-third of the jail’s 1,500 population struggles with mental illness. He hopes to reduce that number by prioritizing medications and diagnosis to help people return to society upon release.
The county jail no longer charges inmates a $5 co-pay for mental health medication. Col. Jared Schechter, who oversees the jail, believes the measure appears to be working but admits it’s too early to say.
“We’re seeing more medication compliance out of the inmates,” Schechter said. “They’re choosing to take their medications.”
Another way Sedgwick County Jail is helping inmates is by giving them the option to request 10–14 days of mental health medication before their release. The jail will call the medicine to their pharmacy…
