HomeMy WebLinkAbout101915_cbs02Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Julie Shannon, Executive Secretary I
DATE: October 19, 2015
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Call to Action to reduce the number of people with
mental illnesses in our County Jail and commits to sharing lessons learned with
other Counties in Washington State and across the country to support the
Stepping Up Initiative.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
A request was received for approval of signing a Proclamation re: Call to Action to reduce the number of
people with mental illnesses in our County Jail and commits to sharing lessons learned with other Counties
in Washington State and across the country to support the Stepping Up Initiative.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Proclamation re: Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our County
Jail and commits to sharing lessons learned with other Counties in Washington State and across the country
to support the Stepping Up Initiative.
REVIEWED BY:
ip Morl , C }ant Ad �rator
zl �
Date
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, 80% of adults in County Jails suffer from mental illnesses vs. 13% of the population; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Jail has a 78% recidivism rate; and
WHEREAS, nationally 70 billion a year is spent on public safety and county jails spend two to three
times more on adults with mental illnesses; and
WHEREAS, County Jails have become the substitute for psychiatric hospitals for people with mental
health treatment issues, since have l Ox's more patients with mental illness reside in Jail vs. a psychiatric
hospital; and
WHEREAS, without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses can continue
to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals,
their families, and their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners has undertaken a serious effort
to address the local service needs of those with mental illnesses through the Mental Health, Substance
Abuse Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County, like all counties, takes pride in our responsibility to protect and enhance
the health, welfare and safety of our residents in efficient, safe, and socially just ways; and
WHEREAS, through the Stepping Up Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the Council of
State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation are encouraging Counties
to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in County Jails.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Jefferson County Commissioners support;
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R"UCE TXENU"ER OF PEOPLE WITH"""
ILLNESSESJ7VJAILS"
And sign on to the Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our County
Jail and commits to sharing lessons learned with other Counties in Washington State and across the
country to support the Stepping Up Initiative.
PROCLAIMED this 19th day of October, 2015
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery, CMC
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
David Sullivan, Chairman
Phil Johnson, Member
Kathleen Kler, Member