Sheriff's Office rents apartments for inmates in need of supervision

Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson will start a pilot program by September that she hopes will free up jail space, save some money and get frequent jail inmates with mental illnesses the help and supervision they need.

Simpson's office has rented two studio apartments in the county-owned complex at 525 Monroe Ave., where she intends to house two people with mental illnesses who would normally be held in the jail.

"People with mental illness issues require a lot more supervision in jail," Simpson said. "The goal is to reduce reincarceration, improve care and aleviate overcrowding issues."

Undersheriff Scott Jackson, the former jail manager, said that jailing people who suffer from mental illnesses interrupts their treatment, which only makes the problem worse.

"Social Security and disability (payments), Medicaid/Medicare and the Oregon Health Plan are either suspended or terminated when they are incarcerated," Jackson said.

Benton County Commissioner Jay Dixon echoed Jackson's frustration with the suspension or termination of services to the mentally ill while they are in jail.

"We think we're in a system where you're innocent until proven guilty," Dixon said. "If you're thrown in jail, the (services) stop. That's just wrong."

The apartments will cost the Sheriff's Office $370 a month. That compares favorably with the average cost of $150 a day to jail every inmate - or $1,050 a week, Simpson said.

For inmates with mental health issues, Benton County Mental Health and the sheriff's office share the bill for medical evaluations and medications.

The agencies will initially pay treatment costs for those participating in the housing project. But, if people in the housing project regain lost services by getting out of jail, they may not need to.

Although a committee has not been formed, Simpson has met with members of the Benton County Defense Consortium, Benton County Mental Health, agencies focused on the issues of mental health and homelessness, District Attorney John Haroldson and Judge Locke Williams to determine how best to implement the program.

"It will take both (prosecutors) and public defenders to buy into (the program) and help identify those who will be suitable for it," Simpson said.

The first two candidates to be housed have not yet been selected. Mental health professionals, as well as attorneys, will help make that determination, Simpson said.

Drawbacks to selection for the program are funding-related, Simpson said.

Funding for the apartments will come from a portion of a renewed jail levy, which includes a provision for jail bed rentals from other counties. That provision allows for funding of the housing program.

The language of the levy states the money can be used only for those on probation or parole. Because the Probation and Parole department is funded by the State, the Sheriff's Office only receives funding for those with felony convictions.

Essentially, Simpson must choose inmates with mental health issues who have a felony record, are on probation or parole, are homeless and do not present a risk to the public.

Despite the restrictions, Simpson said there are plenty of candidates to choose from.

Once in the program, they will be supervised by a parole and probation officer trained in mental health issues.

Parole and probation officer Abe Griswold will get additional training in how to deal with the mentally ill and will be supervising the program.

"I'm anticipating frequent contact, two to three times a week," Griswold said. "We'll make sure they're taking their meds and have a structured environment."

Those housed in the apartments will have to volunteer willingly to be housed and must follow the standard rules of their parole or probation, including a curfew of 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., dependent upon employment hours.

Dixon said the larger problem of mental health and homelessness cannot be solved in the criminal justice system.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson agrees, but sees the program as an important step.

"We work in a system where you only benefit by having more options," Haroldson said.

Simpson knows the program cannot end homelessness or mental illness, but she hopes the program will be successful and, potentially, can expand.

"We'll reassess the program after six months or a year," Simpson said. "If it has been a success, perhaps we can look into stable funding and more apartments. If not, we'll scrap it and find something more effective."