Title
Authorizing Philadelphia to officially join the National Stepping Up Initiative, to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.
Body
WHEREAS, Jurisdictions across the country provide treatment services to the estimated 2 million people with serious mental illnesses booked into jail each year; and
WHEREAS, Prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in jails nationwide are three to six times higher than for the general public; and
WHEREAS, Almost three-quarters of adults with mental illnesses in jails in the United States 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, Approximately 16% of the individuals in Philadelphia's jails on a given day have a serious mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 38% of all individuals in Philadelphia's jails on a given day are medicated for mental health illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, resulting in avoidable tragic outcomes for these individuals and their families; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia takes pride in its responsibility to protect and enhance the health, welfare, and safety of its residents in efficient and cost-effective ways; and
WHEREAS, Through Stepping Up, the National Association of Counties, The Council of State Governments Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation are encouraging public, private, and nonprofit partners to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency, has launched a statewide Stepping Up initiative to increase the number of Pennsylvania co...
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