Untreated in lockup, the delay in inmates receiving psychiatric care [Video]

MONTGOMERY CO. — It’s a problem facing jails across the country, too many inmates requiring mental health treatment yet nowhere to send them.

Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Earl Stoddard, says his county is seeing some of the longest transfer delays in the state.

“On any given day, on any given month, 15 to 20 percent of the individuals awaiting a bed are severing a sentence 90 day or less. And by the time their bed is ready, their sentence is coming to end,” said Stoddard.

He says it can be months before a bed at a psychiatric facility opens, delaying care and putting a strain on the entire system.

“And candidly they’re not getting the treatment they deserve as their conditions are getting worse. That puts real pressure on our correctional facilities and staff to try to maintain what is a very unfair and frankly dangerous situation,” said …