Focusing On The Mental Health Of Offenders

The issue of repeat offenders who are mentally ill is the focus of a new review team in Indianapolis. 

Around 30 percent of the 2,300 inmates housed at the Marion County Jail are mentally ill.  Marion County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Colonel Louis Dezelen says the office spends almost $8 million a year caring for them. 

"That comes from $650,000 in prescriptions, $5 million in health care providers and $2.1 million in additional deputies needed in the jails to deal with the mentally ill," Dezelen said.

Dezelen is chairing a new engagement team tasked with taking a closer look at how to treat these people who often end up back in jail. 

The partnership between the Sherriff’s Office, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Eskenazi Health and others will first provide reports on what resources are being spent to deal with the mentally ill. Then, the team will assess what steps can be taken to help people receive the treatment they need in a proper facility.   

The challenge of mental illness was recently identified by the Department of Public Safety in a review of six crime ridden areas.