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A joint House committee is studying mental illness in the Texas criminal justice system in preparation for the 81st legislative session set to convene in January 2009.

A hearing on substance abuse treatment and mental illness in jails is set for May 29 in Austin, said Merita Zoga, an assistant clerk with the House Corrections Committee.

The agenda for the meeting is still being drafted.

Officials from Bell County Jail spoke last week about the policies the jail has in place to treat people with mental illness. Bob Patterson, the jail’s top administrator, said the state could be doing more to address the plight of mentally ill offenders.

The House Appropriations Committee will team with the Corrections Committee to study the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior. The committees may offer reforms needed to address the impact of mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Some areas that will be analyzed include data sharing between criminal justice and health and human service agencies, proper screening, assessments, treatment, discharge planning, post-release supervision and community services.

In Bell County the relationship between the jail and the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center is aided by an MHMR jail liaison.

“So many of our people wind up in jail because there are not enough resources to keep them out of jail,” said Patricia Jolly, jail liaison.

Ms. Jolly said she and the jail staff coordinate a lot of services, including medications.

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