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Justice system unequipped to deal with mentally ill

Ramsey County District Court Judge Donovan Foughty recently rightly asserted that the justice system fails those with mental illness, which then has the effect of putting tremendous strain on that very system.

Foughty is correct, as many people from attorneys to family members of inmates have frequently expressed. Incarceration isn’t an ideal manner to address non-violent offenders with mental health issues. In fact, it is often counterproductive. Incarceration costs taxpayers dollars and rarely results in a mentally ill inmate receiving treatment, meaning that no one benefits. Furthermore, the additional stigma of a jail record just creates more challenges for a mentally ill individual in functioning in society, perhaps contributing to dependency. Most facilities do not offer anything along the lines of proper evaluation or treatment. That is, they can actually make things worse for a mentally ill individual.

While Foughty might have been specifically referencing North Dakota facilities and procedures, but make no mistake. This isn’t a North Dakota challenge. It is a problem for every state.

However, North Dakota could become a model for other states. This past year, state leaders have voiced an understanding that opioid addiction requires a holistic approach to addressing, and addiction is one of the most common ailments among prison populations. Hopefully this signals that when the twin obstacles to change – politics and budget – align just perfectly, some of the lip service offered to reforming the justice system will be translated into policy.

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