Pulaski County inmate ordered to the Arkansas State Hospital waits weeks as evaluation backlog grows
KARK looked at a Pulaski County defendant charged with manslaughter who was ordered held and sent to the State Hospital within 48 hours in October 2016 but was still in jail more than two weeks later, with an evaluation not scheduled until December 6. A sheriff's captain said such delays are common because too many people need the hospital and the system cannot handle them.
An advocate said new state regulations cutting payments to providers that relieve pressure on the hospital would worsen the backlog. The report recalls a 2003 class-action settlement over inmates held in jail awaiting mental health treatment and says some lawmakers believe current conditions invite similar claims. The Department of Human Services did not respond in time for the broadcast.
Source: Inmates Forced to Wait for Mental Health Treatment — KARK (Little Rock)
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