NCJ Number
210855
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 67 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 62-64,102
Date Published
August 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the various ways in which Clark County, NV (encompassing Las Vegas), particularly its criminal justice system, has attempted to deal with the increasing number of residents with mental health needs.
Abstract
In the 1980s, most of Nevada's community mental health programs were eliminated due to statewide budgetary constraints. As State funds gradually increased, little was directed to the needs of the mental health systems. In addition, correctional facilities designated for mentally ill inmates have not been built since the 1970s, and those that exist are nearly 500 miles from Las Vegas, the primary population center. Due to the relatively high percentage of police encounters with mentally ill individuals, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has adopted the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) model, which trains officers in the proper response to psychologically unstable or mentally ill individuals. A percentage of these CIT-trained officers serve in the Clark County Detention Center. In early 2003, in response to the growing number of mentally ill persons appearing before the county's courts, funding was obtained to start a mental health court. This court aims to decriminalize the severely mentally ill, provide comprehensive services throughout the treatment/monitoring system, and protect public safety. Court referrals are based in a thorough assessment of the individual's mental health and other needs. In addition, a community coalition is pushing for the creation of a community triage center with secure capability for mentally ill patients; the construction of a State psychiatric facility; and the development of dual-diagnosis services, including long-term outpatient care for individuals with both a mental illness and another disability.