A city councilwoman has proposed an initiative to redirect inmates with mental health conditions at Bexar County Jail in Texas toward treatment instead of incarceration.
The proposal responds to ongoing delays in placing inmates in forensic psychiatric facilities. Some inmates found incompetent to stand trial remain in jail longer than the sentences they would otherwise serve.
The Center for Health Care Services and University Health provide mental health services inside the jail. A jail-based competency restoration program was launched to treat inmates while they await trial.
Bexar County has taken steps to ease mental health-related pressure on the jail, including adding 130 beds at a recovery center to expand treatment capacity.
The councilwoman’s plan seeks to expand diversion from jail to treatment programs. The approach aligns with existing efforts to improve the county’s mental health system.
University Health delivers medical and mental health services at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.
The proposal emphasizes addressing mental health needs before individuals enter the criminal justice system to reduce repeat offenses.
Bexar County has received attention for expanding mental health services amid backlogs for state hospital beds. The jail-based program functions as a temporary measure while longer-term solutions are pursued.
The U.S. Department of Justice awarded $1.6 million to the Center for Health Care Services to support the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in restoring competency for inmates.
Officials continue to seek coordination between local government, health providers, and law enforcement to improve mental health care and reduce strain on the jail system.
