2015/08/03 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE STEPPING UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN JAILSRESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE
STEPPING UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER
OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN JAILS
WHEREAS, counties routinely provide treatment services to the estimated 2 million people with
serious mental illnesses booked into jails each year; and
WHEREAS, prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in confinement facilities are three to six
times higher than for the general population, with statistics showing that almost 13% of North
Carolina's prison population requires some type of intervention due to mental health issues; and
WHEREAS, almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-
occurring substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a
higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders; and
WHEREAS, county jails spend two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that
require interventions compared to those without these treatment needs; 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, county jails are generally an unsafe environment for those with mental health
treatment needs; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners has undertaken a serious
effort to address the local service needs of those with mental illnesses through the appointment
of a special Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Harnett 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, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS:
1. That the Board of Commissioners does hereby 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 North Carolina and across the country to support
the Stepping Up Initiative;
2. That the Board of Commissioners will utilize resources available through the Stepping
Up Initiative and other resources provided by the Council of State Governments Justice
Center to convene a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple agencies
who are committed to safely reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.
3. That this team will utilize the comprehensive resources available through the Stepping
Up Initiative to develop a plan to reduce the number of people with mental illness in the
county jail for 2016-2020, consistent with the Council of State Governments Justice
Center report and recommendations, to be presented to the Board of Commissioners at itsl
first meeting in December 2015.
Adopted this 3rd day of August 2015.
HARNETT COUNTARDCO S
C. Gordon
Sp^ringk— ce Ch an
Abe Elmore
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