City of Baltimore - File #: 15-0240R

• File #: 15-0240R
• Version: 0
• Name: Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails
• Type: City Council Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 6/22/2015
• In control: City Council
• Final action: 6/22/2015
• Title: Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails FOR the purpose of joining the Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our jails, committing to sharing lessons learned with other jurisdictions in Maryland and across the country to support a national initiative, and encouraging all City officials, employees, and residents to participate in Stepping Up.
• Sponsors: Helen L. Holton, President Young, Brandon M. Scott, Eric T. Costello, Warren Branch, Sharon Green Middleton, Carl Stokes, James B. Kraft, William "Pete" Welch, Mary Pat Clarke, Rochelle Spector, Edward Reisinger, Robert Curran
• Indexes: Initiative, Jails, Mental Illnesses, Reduce, Stepping Up

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/22/2015	0	City Council	Adopted
6/22/2015	0	City Council	Introduced

* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmember Holton


A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails
FOR the purpose of joining the Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our jails, committing to sharing lessons learned with other jurisdictions in Maryland and across the country to support a national initiative, and encouraging all City officials, employees, and residents to participate in Stepping Up.
body

Recitals

WHEREAS, local jurisdictions routinely provide treatment services to the estimated 2 million people with serious mental illnesses booked into jail each year.

WHEREAS, prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than for the general population.

WHEREAS, almost threequarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have cooccurring substance use disorders.

WHEREAS, adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders.

WHEREAS, local jails spend two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that require interventions compared to those without these treatment needs.

WHEREAS, without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for thes...