The Wall Street Journal (4/20, A3, Palazzolo, Subscription Publication) reports that across the US, there is a growing number of inmates with serious mental health disorders who are incarcerated awaiting trial due to mental competency issues. Unfortunately, there are not enough mental healthcare professionals or state psychiatric hospital beds available to help restore these inmates to competency so they can stand trial. Some states are now addressing the problem by creating restoration programs in jails or by establishing mental-health courts.
Related Links:
— “Mental-Health Treatment for Defendants Dogged by Delays,” Joe Palazzolo, Wall Street Journal, April 19, 2015.