Bay County Jail Helps Inmates

Mental Illnesses in Bay County Jail

“Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behavior.”

These might be from past experiences or even passed down through hereditary from one parent or family member. Mental illness can effect anyone at any age and at any point of their lives.

When those who are charged with crimes are committed and sentenced, not much else is thought about them. But there are many who are left in jail suffer daily from mental illnesses without getting proper treatment. Many people suffering from mental illness go undiagnosed until they have committed a crime and are evaluated before their trial.

“There’s always been a stigma attached to mental illness. That’s why a lot of people who have mental illness[es] don’t seek treatment. A lot of times they don’t want people to know they have a mental illness. A lot of times, they won’t tell you.” said Bay County Jail Mental Health Coordinator, Jack Howell.

One such jail that helps with those who suffer from mental illnesses is the Bay County jail. The jail has entire dorms dedicated to helping those in need of such services. These dorms help them learn how to care, cope, and how to become functional with their illness so that they can live normal lives outside of the jail.

“We have monitors on three of our dorms. We do that because we try to keep an eye on these inmates at all times for their safety to keep them from hurting each other, hurting themselves.” said Segregation Supervisor, Sgt. Joseph Mastro. As Mastro says, it’s important to keep a close eye on those who are suffering in order to help them.

“You can’t just go straight from I’m telling you to do this, why aren’t you doing this? You have to talk to the inmate let [him] know that you’re trying to help [him] and why you’re trying to get them to do what you’re trying to do. It can’t be just do what I tell you to do and do it now.” said Mastro. From Mastro’s point of view, you have to be able to communicate with those who have a mental illness. Patience is also a key factor in speaking with them or getting them to understand you.

Stated by WMBB News: “Out of the 1,100 inmates housed at the jail, more than 200 are on psychological medications, and 45 of those are in special segregated housing pertaining to their mental status.”

http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/combating-mental-illness-in-the-bay-county-jail/1059049025

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