Washington County prioritizing mental health for inmates, those facing criminal charges
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Washington County is addressing mental health challenges within the criminal justice system.
The judges involved wanted to come up with a solution to jail overcrowding and a way to help those dealing with mental health by doing more than just putting them in jail.
So, these judges created the Washington County Mental Health Court.
This new, specialized court is designed to help people with serious and reoccurring mental health issues that have pending criminal cases.
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Judge Patrick Deakins says this is an important step forward because it is far past time to reevaluate how the justice system handles mental health cases.
'Mental health was deinsitutionalized in the 1960's that might've been a good task at the time I think we've now seen that we have reinstitutionalized those individuals in our incarceration system we are all very concerned about that and know thats not the way forward,' Deakins said.
The mental health court will be a voluntary intervention for adults who have been accused of or plead guilty to criminal charges.
Judge Deakins says this is vital for Washington County to implement to priortize treatment and support over incarceration.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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