State proposes upgrades to mental health programs

Nov. 09--BLOOMINGTON -- The state prison system is poised to create four treatment units and add 350 clinical staff as part of its plan to improve conditions for mentally ill inmates and to address inmate complaints in a federal lawsuit.

A report, filed by the Illinois Department of Corrections in a lawsuit pending in U.S. District Court in Peoria, outlines plans to renovate facilities at Dixon, Pontiac and Logan correctional centers to provide bed space for 900 seriously mentally ill offenders.

The IDOC also will reopen the former Joliet youth home as a mental health campus, bringing the total beds to 1,235.

The Oct. 6 filing follows a September hearing at which lawyers for a group of inmates asked the state to explain its progress in the treatment of mentally ill inmates.

Commenting on the proposal, Alan Mills, one of the lawyers for the inmates, said, "We remain hopeful that the department will agree to make significant changes, including additional hiring and space allocations, which will improve the care provided to thousands of people with mental illness confined in our prisons. However, we also remain disappointed with the pace of the change to date."

The magnitude of the improvements -- required to provide a constitutionally adequate level of care to mentally ill inmates -- came into focus as a court-appointed monitor examined current conditions.

Monitor Raymond F. Patterson reported in September that segregation was used as a substitute for mental health treatment for more than 600 inmates. He said the state had not made acceptable progress on changes outlined in a May 2013 order.

Work will continue on a resolution, said IDOC spokesman Tom Shaer.

"This department continues to do considerable work in these proceedings and in this area. We look forward to the continued settlement talks (on Nov. 20), at which time staffing and bed space will continue to be addressed," said Shaer.

The state has acknowledged that its lack of inpatient beds must be remedied.

As a short-term solution, the state Department of Human Services plans to provide 10 beds at Chester Mental Health Center for IDOC offenders. That plan will require hiring two psychiatrists and a psychologist.

The Corrections Department has asked for 60 days to update its plan to build or renovate a facility for male and female offenders. "Necessarily, this long-term solution will involve extensive construction and staffing efforts," read a IDOC filing.

The state estimates it will spend $62 million a year to pay an additional 352 clinical workers and 200 security staff.

The goal of the IDOC plan is to establish a graduated treatment system, for mild to severe mental illness, according to the court filing.

The state also is exploring third-party options. Officials at Riveredge Hospital, Thorek Hospital and Loretto Hospital, all in the Chicago area, have met with state leaders to discuss how their facilities might accommodate inmates.

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