Nagdochus, Texas (KTRO) – Nagdochs County is trying to reduce the problem that has many prisons across the country. They like that many people are dealing with a high population of prisoners who are struggling with mental health problems. Sheriff Jason Bridges said that since it started 12 years ago, it has been a problem.
“This is not a new trend, sheriffs across the state, we all face this problem in our prisons and the trend is just and bad,” said Bridges.
He has launched a deputy mental health program to try and reduce this problem. It has been about two months, and Bridges said it was working.
“They are already in two weeks, the first two weeks removed five people from our jail,” he said. Instead of coming to jail, they went and helped them. Well, you say five in two weeks, you add it and if this is the trend, it increases a lot, “said Bridges.
About 43 % of his prisoner population has a history of mental health problems, Bridges said.
Therefore, the program that is granted allows two mental health deputies to focus fully on prisoners and calls that are mental health. They work to reduce this percentage.
“The purpose is that some of them need their help instead of taking some of them in jail,” said Bridges.
He said that when responding to a call, the deputies will work for treatment with this person and the Burke Center, if the violation is minor. He said that the calls that contain mental health are usually for criminal misconduct. If the violation or situation causes the person to be taken to jail, they will try and find a solution and press the charges later if needed.
The deputies also follow the people whom they have answered earlier and work with the people inside the prison before their release. Deputy Shane Johnson said he understands why the program is needed.
“We can really spend more time finding a good solution to this problem. Johnson said, while the patrolling deputy or city police officer is likely to have a call that they are working and behind them two or three more they have to get them. It’s not time to contact.
The program is allowing the two deprivation to use their officers in the county more efficiently, leaving these mental health -related calls, the Bridges said. They are also freeing the prison space and do not need to spend most of the taxpayers’ funds on accommodation. He said that the prison is currently in the population in which 75 of his prisoners have been kept in other counties.
He said that as a whole, the people who need treatment need their help, he said.
“It is really a blessing to be able to get the help of these people. Bridges said that we have the first two weeks, it has many consequences. This is a benefit to our community and we need to continue it without any doubt.
The program has been provided by the Burke Center for a year with a grant of 000 130,000. County had to match 25 % of the grant. They received 80,431, from Charles and Louis Mary’s Bright Foundation to buy two vehicles for deputies.
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