Lucas County Jail Mental Health Evaluation and Stabilization Wing Planning and Design

The treatment of mentally ill individuals in jails is critical, especially since such individuals are vulnerable and often abused while incarcerated.  Untreated, their psychiatric illness often becomes worse, and they may leave the jail sicker than when they entered.  According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 37% of individuals incarcerated in prisons have a history of mental health problems.  This same report notes that the numbers are even higher for people in county jails.

Locally, 24% of inmates booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center (LCCC) are screening positive for serious and persistent mental illness.  Additionally, 23% of individuals booked into LCCC received behavioral health services one year prior to, and/or one year post booking.

The Lucas County Corrections Center is currently antiquated, not conducive to proper inmate management, and does not provide a setting where proper inmate mental health services can be conducted.  It is the intent of the Lucas County Sheriff's Office and the Lucas County Commissioners to build a new facility, which will include a dedicated mental health unit.