sweetpea
05-26-2004, 11:33 PM
Bill would establish mental health standards for prisons
Associated Press
The beating of a man with mental problems at a Lincoln, Neb. prison demonstrates the need for setting standards for treating inmates with mental illness, a legislative committee was told Thursday.
"Because a significant number of inmates have psychological, mental, drug, alcohol and other problems, it's necessary that the system recognize these problems and address them," Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha told the Judiciary Committee about his bill.
Chambers said the recent beating of Daniel Luethke at the prison system's Diagnostic and Evaluation Center illustrates the need for setting such standards.
Luethke, 32, has a history of mental health problems. He was booked into the Seward County Jail early on Dec. 5 on suspicion of making terroristic threats. Sheriff's deputies later took Luethke to the evaluation center after he threatened jail staff and broke a window in his cell.
His aunt said Luethke had failed to take the medication he needs for his bipolar disorder.
One hour after being placed in a holding cell at the center, Luethke was severely beaten, apparently by another inmate.
Chambers said his plan, which would cost more than $5 million a year, is especially critical because of a plan being pushed by Gov. Mike Johanns to close two of the state's three mental health hospitals.
That, Chambers said, means that more people with serious mental illness could wind up in the prison system.
A report issued in December by the American Civil Liberties Union said health care for inmates in Nebraska prisons and county jails is dangerously close to cruel and unusual punishment.
Although the Department of Correctional Services now provides mental health care and some substance abuse counseling and treatment, Chambers' bill would set standards for providing such treatment.
Associated Press
The beating of a man with mental problems at a Lincoln, Neb. prison demonstrates the need for setting standards for treating inmates with mental illness, a legislative committee was told Thursday.
"Because a significant number of inmates have psychological, mental, drug, alcohol and other problems, it's necessary that the system recognize these problems and address them," Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha told the Judiciary Committee about his bill.
Chambers said the recent beating of Daniel Luethke at the prison system's Diagnostic and Evaluation Center illustrates the need for setting such standards.
Luethke, 32, has a history of mental health problems. He was booked into the Seward County Jail early on Dec. 5 on suspicion of making terroristic threats. Sheriff's deputies later took Luethke to the evaluation center after he threatened jail staff and broke a window in his cell.
His aunt said Luethke had failed to take the medication he needs for his bipolar disorder.
One hour after being placed in a holding cell at the center, Luethke was severely beaten, apparently by another inmate.
Chambers said his plan, which would cost more than $5 million a year, is especially critical because of a plan being pushed by Gov. Mike Johanns to close two of the state's three mental health hospitals.
That, Chambers said, means that more people with serious mental illness could wind up in the prison system.
A report issued in December by the American Civil Liberties Union said health care for inmates in Nebraska prisons and county jails is dangerously close to cruel and unusual punishment.
Although the Department of Correctional Services now provides mental health care and some substance abuse counseling and treatment, Chambers' bill would set standards for providing such treatment.