Current:Home > MarketsAllegheny County promises more mental health support, less use of force at its jail-LoTradeCoin
Allegheny County promises more mental health support, less use of force at its jail
View Date:2025-01-11 13:31:50
The Allegheny County jail could significantly increase its mental health staffing and provide more training about use of force and restraint under a proposed settlement filed Tuesday in federal court.
The agreement, which still requires a judge’s approval, would resolve a class action that accused the jail in Pittsburgh of offering inadequate treatment and medication for inmates with mental health disabilities, and often punishing them with extended solitary confinement or excessive force.
“The lawsuit was bitter at first. But this is a sweet victory. Law enforcement doesn’t get to break the law to enforce it,” Jason Porter, one of the five inmates represented as plaintiffs, said in a prepared statement.
Mental health care — from intake to medication, counseling and suicide prevention — was “either non-existent or wholly deficient” when the lawsuit was filed in 2020, according to lawyers with the Abolitionist Law Center, the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP.
The Allegheny County jail had one of the highest suicide rates among large county correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. A review of in-custody deaths between 2017 and 2022 found seven of 27 in-custody deaths were suicides.
Shaquille Howard said he appreciates the promises of change. He said previously that he spent significant time in solitary confinement and was told he could not receive mental health counseling unless he was suicidal.
“I’m happy and thankful that no one else has to endure the things that I endured during my time at the ACJ,” he said in a prepared statement. “Most of all I’m glad that chapter of my life has concluded, but I’ll never forget what was done to me.”
A county spokesperson declined to comment on the proposed settlement.
Concerns over how people with mental health issues are treated while incarcerated have led to a number of lawsuits in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
The settlement would direct the county to have about 47 mental health positions, with about 30 requiring independent licensure, for its roughly 1,700 inmates. The county would have to fill a majority of the staff levels within six months of a court order.
The county would also need to provide training in the next six months to correctional staff about recognizing signs of mental illness, when use of force is appropriate and how to deploy de-escalation techniques. The county would have to audit the efficacy of the training following implementation.
Mental health staff would need to be alerted to intervene when use of force is being considered, and staff would be required to document when mental health staff is called in, regardless of whether force is ultimately used.
The inmates’ lawyers said use of force incidents have already decreased by 28% since their lawsuit was filed four years ago.
Counseling would be provided to people flagged as having serious mental illness, current or recent diagnoses, a history of self harm in the last two years or inmates in mental health housing units.
In response to allegations that incarcerated people with mental health issues are placed in solitary confinement as punishment, the order would direct the county to allow inmates in segregated housing at least four hours of out-of-cell time daily, which includes social interaction and treatment. For those in restricted housing, the county would have a behavior management program designed by a psychologist that aims to reduce time spent in solitary and in the jail overall.
Inmates would have to be screened within two weeks of admission to the jail, and should be evaluated by a mental health staffer if they are found in need of treatment, the settlement says. Health care professionals, not other jail officials, must make any clinical decisions regarding such things as medication; suicide watch; counseling; and access to items like blankets, paper and writing instruments.
The order “heralds a fundamental shift” in how mental health is addressed in the jail, said Keith E. Whitson, an attorney with Whiteford. “These are meaningful changes that will have a substantial impact on individuals incarcerated at ACJ and their families.”
If approved, the settlement would require the jail to maintain substantial compliance for at least two years before court supervision would end.
veryGood! (91599)
Related
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- 5 years after federal suit, North Carolina voter ID trial set to begin
- All 9 Drake and Kendrick Lamar 2024 diss songs, including 'Not Like Us' and 'Part 6'
- Cavaliers rally past Magic for first playoff series win since 2018 with LeBron James
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- 5 years after federal suit, North Carolina voter ID trial set to begin
- FBI says an infant abducted from New Mexico park has been found safe; a suspect is in custody
- Tom Stoltman wins World's Strongest Man competition for third time in four years
- Panel advises Illinois commemorate its role in helping slaves escape the South
- Detroit man sentenced to 80 years for fatal shootings of 2 West Virginia women
Ranking
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Steward Health Care files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Tom Stoltman wins World's Strongest Man competition for third time in four years
- Bad breath is common but preventable. Here's what causes it.
- Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
- Dave Ramsey's Social Security plan is risky and unrealistic for most retirees. Here's why.
- Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and More Attend Marvelous Pre-Met Gala 2024 Dinner
- Snag This $50 Way Day Doorbuster Deal on a Customer-Loved Bookcase
Recommendation
-
Brush fire erupts in Brooklyn's iconic Prospect Park amid prolonged drought
-
Madonna attracts 1.6M fans for free concert in Brazil to wrap up her Celebration tour
-
Many Florida women can’t get abortions past 6 weeks. Where else can they go?
-
More than a decade after a stroke, Randy Travis sings again, courtesy of AI
-
Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
-
Civil rights leader Daisy Bates and singer Johnny Cash to replace Arkansas statues at the US Capitol
-
Met Gala 2024: Bad Bunny’s Red Carpet Look Will Send You Down the Rabbit Hole
-
Driver dies after crashing car into White House gate