To: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, The Illinois State House, The Illinois State Senate, and Governor J.B. Pritzker
Health & Wellbeing of Inmates with Mental Illness
The Committee on Criminal Justice Advocacy for People with Mental Illness and CURE IL along with the undersigned individuals and organizations have joined as one voice to express our concerns regarding all forms of civil rights violations perpetrated by the staff of Cook County Jail against its inmate population. While the violation of any individual’s civil rights is unacceptable to us, we place particular emphasis on issues relating to inmates with mental illness.
Of particular concern is the very serious problem of inmates suffering beatings at the hands of officers. Such beatings have been repeatedly documented by family members of inmates. In addition, as these beatings were documented in United States Attorney Peter Fitzgerald’s 2007 report of his office’s evaluation of the Cook County Jail, it is clear that they have been occurring for several years.
In addition to the physical violence, we also have concerns relating to the availability of the appropriate level of mental health care for all inmates with mental illness.
We therefore request that you incorporate the following two action items into the ongoing operation of the jail;
1) That it be mandatory for all officers and supervisory staff to participate in Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) training and that each officer be held strictly accountable to consistently practice the principles of this invaluable program. As you are undoubtedly aware, such training has proved highly successful with police, emergency medical technicians and jail personnel throughout the country in preparing frontline staff to effectively deal with people with special needs, such as mental illness.
2) That all inmates suffering from mental illness be provided an acceptable level of mental health care and, in particular, that all medication requirements be met on a consistent basis.
On behalf of all signatories to this petition, the Committee on Criminal Justice Advocacy for People with Mental Illness and CURE IL request a statement of your intentions in reference to the action items presented. We are also fully prepared to work with you and provide support in improving the Cook County Jail’s ability to provide proper and appropriate attention to the health and wellbeing of inmates with mental illness.
Of particular concern is the very serious problem of inmates suffering beatings at the hands of officers. Such beatings have been repeatedly documented by family members of inmates. In addition, as these beatings were documented in United States Attorney Peter Fitzgerald’s 2007 report of his office’s evaluation of the Cook County Jail, it is clear that they have been occurring for several years.
In addition to the physical violence, we also have concerns relating to the availability of the appropriate level of mental health care for all inmates with mental illness.
We therefore request that you incorporate the following two action items into the ongoing operation of the jail;
1) That it be mandatory for all officers and supervisory staff to participate in Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) training and that each officer be held strictly accountable to consistently practice the principles of this invaluable program. As you are undoubtedly aware, such training has proved highly successful with police, emergency medical technicians and jail personnel throughout the country in preparing frontline staff to effectively deal with people with special needs, such as mental illness.
2) That all inmates suffering from mental illness be provided an acceptable level of mental health care and, in particular, that all medication requirements be met on a consistent basis.
On behalf of all signatories to this petition, the Committee on Criminal Justice Advocacy for People with Mental Illness and CURE IL request a statement of your intentions in reference to the action items presented. We are also fully prepared to work with you and provide support in improving the Cook County Jail’s ability to provide proper and appropriate attention to the health and wellbeing of inmates with mental illness.
Why is this important?
The Committee on Criminal Justice Advocacy for People with Mental Illness and CURE IL along with the undersigned individuals and organizations have joined as one voice to express our concerns regarding all forms of civil rights violations perpetrated by the staff of Cook County Jail against its inmate population. While the violation of any individual’s civil rights is unacceptable to us, we place particular emphasis on issues relating to inmates with mental illness.