“We Are Punished for Having Mental Health Issues”: Examining Mental Health Needs in a Midwest Jail

• In Event: How Qualitative Methods can Inform Health and Healthcare in Prisons and Jails

Abstract

The overrepresentation of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system is well-documented. Approximately 44% of individuals in local jails have a history of mental illness (Bronson et al., 2017; Cohen, 2019), and suicide remains a leading cause of death both within jails and among those recently released (Carson, 2021; Eisler et al., 2020). Despite efforts to expand mental health resources, limited research examines access to and barriers to treatment in jails. This study draws on data from a large urban jail in the Midwest, incorporating insights from 18 months of workgroups with staff and residents to understand mental health needs. Findings reveal significant gaps in mental health training and resources, with both staff and residents expressing concerns about managing mental health symptoms. Residents report punishment for disclosing mental health issues, deterring help-seeking. Barriers to medication, treatment, and programming exacerbate mental health crises. While staff recognize the need for more mental health personnel, they also stress their own need for support due to the demands of their work. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve mental health support, emphasizing the importance of equipping both staff and residents with the tools to address mental health challenges effectively.

Authors

• Laura L. Lightfoot, Arizona State University

• Beth M. Huebner, Arizona State University

• Carrie Pettus, Wellbeing & Equity Innovations

• Faye S. Taxman, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University

• Nancy McCarthy, Wellbeing & Equity Innovations

• Rebeccah Bennett, Emerging Wisdom LLC & InPower Institute