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* From a WTTW story about Pontiac Correctional Center…
Another Pontiac problem is the number of incarcerated people designated as seriously mentally ill: 26%, according to state data.
Rob Jeffreys, who just stepped down after nearly four years as director of the department of corrections, acknowledges the state has been hit with two lawsuits leading to a consent decree over its physical and mental health care programs.
“Corrections has become default for mental health,” Jeffreys told WTTW News. “Unfortunately, we have 42 to 43% of our population is on some type of mental health caseload. Of that 43%, about 14% are essentially mentally ill diagnosed. And that only increases when we start talking about the female population. I think 70% of our female population is on a mental health caseload.”
But Jeffreys claims the state has been working to address the issues.
From that Jeffreys interview…
Jeffreys says IDOC has partnered with the Department of Human Services on both policies and accreditation to open a treatment center at Joliet, where DHS will operate mental health programming.
“We have to provide programming, out-of-cell time, and to be able to do that we need to be able to consolidate our resources,” he said. “I think Pontiac serves as one of our mental health facilities along with Dixon which has a mental health treatment unit.
Jeffreys said the agency is in the process of hiring a new mental health provider.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 1, 23 @ 1:54 pm
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What is it Tom Dart always says? He’s the largest mental health care provider in the midwest? Something like that.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 1, 23 @ 1:59 pm
Imagine being ill and then imagine being in a prison where you may be (violently) punished for your symptoms.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, May 1, 23 @ 2:02 pm
Prison is a viciously improper setting for delivering healthcare.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, May 1, 23 @ 2:41 pm
Last week we saw a request to raise pay for Mental Health workers (as well as persons who serve our most vulnerable citizens) an increase of $4.00 per hour. if that increase does not get approved, minimum wage will catch what we pay mental health direct support personnel.
It may be time to invest in preventative services for people in these fields as apparently the demand is there for the services.
Comment by T.S. Monday, May 1, 23 @ 3:58 pm
I think it was Gov. Quinn that closed Tinley Park Developmental Center, and Howe Developmental. Also Jacksonville Developmental. I think it was Gov. Ryan that closed Lincoln Developmental. Hard to get mental health treatment if there is no where to go or stay. Sad it has come to this.
Comment by Powerhouse Prowler Monday, May 1, 23 @ 4:38 pm
The Developmental Centers that have been closed are not psych hospitals for people with serious mental illness. They were large, congregate, institutional places. And always a target for closure by ACLU and other civil rights advocates.
Comment by Seventeen Questions Monday, May 1, 23 @ 5:16 pm