One jail diversion program in Texas has sought to help thousands of people impacted by mental illness by looking to divert when possible sending those people to be locked up. Instead, they look to get them the possible mental help that they need and over the last few years they have helped thousands of people stay out of jail as a result.

In jails around the U.S., including those in Texas, you can find a variety of individuals who suffer from mental illness. And for some what they need is to be in the mental health system with medical professionals, and not in jail.

For a number of low-level non-violent offenders in the country they are getting to experience this alternative now, with these sorts of programs that are looking to keep people out who have other options.

Prisons are overcrowded all around the United States and there is a dedicated effort to reform those unthinking policies that have been potentially placing people in the wrong, more harmful situation, than they should be placed in.

A health issue not a police issue

The answer isn't always locking someone up and punishing them, sometimes the answer is to help those in need get the access to counselors, nurses, and doctors, that they need, a community that can help the individual rather than hurt them further.

Advocates around the United States and elsewhere have called for more of these community-led crisis intervention efforts, programs that can better peacefully address those emergency responses that so easily turn violent when people show up who aren't equipped to deal with the difficulties that might be posed. This is because some of those difficulties might require patience and understanding rather than simple force to deescalate the situation.

Jail Diversion Program Gets Those Suffering From Mental Illness the Help They Need

A health issue not a police issue