(Sacramento, CA) - Today, Disability Rights California (DRC) releases a new report concluding that Los Angeles County is unlawfully detaining hundreds of people with mental health disabilities in jail or locked psychiatric facilities long after they should have been released.

The report, “STUCK: Los Angeles County’s Abuse and Neglect of People on Mental Health Conservatorships in Jail and Locked Psychiatric Facilities,” describes how people with mental health disabilities are held in jail without any criminal changes, and some remain in psychiatric facilities for months after doctors have said they are ready to leave. These practices violate people’s human rights, as well as federal and state laws.

The report includes stories of people who are stuck in this system, as well as recommendations from mental health experts Elizabeth Jones and Dr. Sam Tsemberis on how the County can improve its mental health system, correct their illegal practices, and save money.

Last year, over 800 people in L.A. County were placed in locked mental health facilities even though they did not need to be there. This caused longer wait lists for people who needed a bed in one of these facilities. Shockingly, the report demonstrates that the people most harmed by these practices are the ones that L.A. County is supposed to protect the most—people on a mental health conservatorship.

Michelle Kotval, Senior Staff Attorney at DRC, said, “Keeping people on conservatorships in jail or locked psychiatric facilities when they do not need to be there is not therapeutic and does not support their recovery.”

These practices are not just cruel and illegal, but they also waste millions of taxpayer dollars. For example, a day in County Jail can cost up to $650 and a day in a County psychiatric hospital costs $1500.

Sarah Gregory, Litigation Counsel at DRC, said, “It would be much cheaper, more effective, and more humane to spend this money on community mental health services and housing. But the County continues to spend money on building more locked and expensive facilities.”

The report urges L.A. County to agree to the expert recommendations, which could save the County millions of dollars and ensure that people who no longer need to be in a locked facility can receive the support they need in the community.

Media Contacts

Melody Pomraning
Communications Director
Disability Rights California
916-504-5938
Melody.Pomraning@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.