Ann Corcoran

Someone that might have gone in for a misdemeanor ends up committing a felony while in jail or in the state hospital while psychotic because they are really not in control of what they're doing.

Someone that might have gone in for a misdemeanor ends up committing a felony while in jail or in the state hospital while psychotic because they are really not in control of what they're doing.

Yeah, and that is true. Our jails and prisons have become the de facto mental health institutions. And I know that because I've been speaking to a lot of the sheriffs in Massachusetts. And when I ask them, well, how many people in your jail have a mental illness?

Yeah, and that is true. Our jails and prisons have become the de facto mental health institutions. And I know that because I've been speaking to a lot of the sheriffs in Massachusetts. And when I ask them, well, how many people in your jail have a mental illness?

Yeah, and that is true. Our jails and prisons have become the de facto mental health institutions. And I know that because I've been speaking to a lot of the sheriffs in Massachusetts. And when I ask them, well, how many people in your jail have a mental illness?

The different numbers varying 70 to 90 percent is a number I'm getting that people have either serious mental illness and or substance use disorder. That is extremely high.

The different numbers varying 70 to 90 percent is a number I'm getting that people have either serious mental illness and or substance use disorder. That is extremely high.

The different numbers varying 70 to 90 percent is a number I'm getting that people have either serious mental illness and or substance use disorder. That is extremely high.

So while Massachusetts will pat themselves on the back for decreasing the number of people that are incarcerated, I've asked at webinars, you know, you're saying that you're closing jails, but can you tell me how many people in the jails now have mental illness and they don't have an answer?

So while Massachusetts will pat themselves on the back for decreasing the number of people that are incarcerated, I've asked at webinars, you know, you're saying that you're closing jails, but can you tell me how many people in the jails now have mental illness and they don't have an answer?

So while Massachusetts will pat themselves on the back for decreasing the number of people that are incarcerated, I've asked at webinars, you know, you're saying that you're closing jails, but can you tell me how many people in the jails now have mental illness and they don't have an answer?

Yeah, I don't know that they're necessarily keeping track of it, but the jails run in the prisons, they know. Not really.

Yeah, I don't know that they're necessarily keeping track of it, but the jails run in the prisons, they know. Not really.

Yeah, I don't know that they're necessarily keeping track of it, but the jails run in the prisons, they know. Not really.

It's really about early intervention and treating these individuals early on, and which is why we're advocating so hard for an AOT law in Massachusetts, because that is going to be the thing that's going to catch people upstream before they even enter the criminal justice system. There's just no need for that to happen. And then we also talk about the need for more beds.

It's really about early intervention and treating these individuals early on, and which is why we're advocating so hard for an AOT law in Massachusetts, because that is going to be the thing that's going to catch people upstream before they even enter the criminal justice system. There's just no need for that to happen. And then we also talk about the need for more beds.

It's really about early intervention and treating these individuals early on, and which is why we're advocating so hard for an AOT law in Massachusetts, because that is going to be the thing that's going to catch people upstream before they even enter the criminal justice system. There's just no need for that to happen. And then we also talk about the need for more beds.

Well, if we treat people earlier on, we are not going to be taking up those beds. We're waiting till people get so sick that then they need to be hospitalized. And, you know, of course, that is then taking up beds. My feeling is we're not going to need all those extra beds if we're treating people earlier on. And those beds can be left for the sickest people that need them for the longest time.

Well, if we treat people earlier on, we are not going to be taking up those beds. We're waiting till people get so sick that then they need to be hospitalized. And, you know, of course, that is then taking up beds. My feeling is we're not going to need all those extra beds if we're treating people earlier on. And those beds can be left for the sickest people that need them for the longest time.

Well, if we treat people earlier on, we are not going to be taking up those beds. We're waiting till people get so sick that then they need to be hospitalized. And, you know, of course, that is then taking up beds. My feeling is we're not going to need all those extra beds if we're treating people earlier on. And those beds can be left for the sickest people that need them for the longest time.