USA TODAY: …From police departments and prisons to courthouses and jails, the care of those who are mentally ill weighs heaviest on law enforcement authorities, many of whom readily acknowledge that they lack both resources and expertise to deal with the crushing responsibility…
About 1.2 million people in state, local and federal custody reported some kind of mental health problem, a 2006 Justice Department analysis concluded. It is among the most recent national assessments of prisoners’ mental status.
Though the report included a broad definition of “problems” — from mere symptoms to severe illness — the numbers represented 64% of those in jails, 56% of state prison inmates and 45% in the federal prison system… (more)
EDITOR: In 1977, Addington v. Texas, the Supreme Court ruled : “The court said the issue of an individual’s interest in liberty is of such weight and gravity that a higher standard of proof is required than is normal in civil cases brought under state law. Because of the uncertainties of psychiatric diagnosis, the burden of proof does not need to be as high as “beyond a reasonable doubt” in criminal cases, but should be a “clear and convincing” standard of proof as required by the Fourteenth Amendment in such a civil proceeding to commit an individual involuntarily for an indefinite period to a state psychiatric hospital.” Source: Wikipedia
It help correct one problem but inadequate provision has been made to care for the mentally ill.
