Did you know 30 to 70 percent of people who are in jail suffer from a mental illness, and in many cases it is not treated?
This is extremely problematic for a number of reasons. When a police officer responds to a situation involving a person with mental illness, the officer basically has three choices: leave him on the streets, which can be a public safety issue; take him to jail, which can increase the intensity of his mental health disorder; or take him to the emergency room, which is an expensive and short term place to address his needs.
This continuing cycle of “jail, emergency room, street” is increasing in frequency. Not only is this an ineffective way to handle those dealing with mental illness, but it also comes with a great cost to the taxpayer.
This is an issue that should be of great concern to all of us. In Beltrami County alone we have not only seen an increase in general population, but also in jail population.
In 1980, Beltrami County was home to roughly 30,000 residents. Today, that number is 45,000. 35 years ago the average daily population in the Beltrami County jail was 21. Today it is approximately 130 – a 600 percent increase – and 70 percent of our local inmates have a diagnosed mental illness.
A potential solution to this crisis is establishing a comprehensive community mental health center, which is why I am sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would appropriate $500,000 to Beltrami County so it can start a mental health hub program.
The plan would be modeled after a successful hub in Orange County, Florida, which has served 47,000 people over ten years. Experts estimate it has saved that county $20 million in jail costs, more than $4 million through coordinated care, and between $17 and $44 million in emergency room savings.
As it stands today, in some crisis situations Beltrami County law enforcement has to transport people with mental health issues to Fargo, North Dakota. My legislation would provide eight to ten crisis beds in Bemidji for those needing help, and would provide a three day program dealing with various stages of inpatient and outpatient care and housing – giving these folks the critical help they need.
What we have now is an expensive, ineffective plan of action that does not work. Jail doesn’t work for those suffering from mental illness and leaving them on the street certainly doesn’t. By building a model facility we can put a mental health hub right in our backyard, change how Minnesota works with law enforcement on these issues and begin to help people address their needs.
If the program succeeds like I expect it will, it can be used as model that would eventually be replicated elsewhere in Minnesota. It is supported by dozens of organizations ranging from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers, Chiefs of Police, Sheriff’s Association, Counties and County Attorneys, and the Board of Public Defense.
Jail should be for criminals, not people suffering from mental health disorders. Whether it is a low level offender or someone in a crisis situation, when a person with mental illness is subject to arrest we need another option to meet the needs of both the individual and law enforcement.
It’s time we end this expensive cycle that is beneficial to no one and create a mental health hub in Beltrami County.