Wyoming’s sheriffs have voiced growing concerns over the state’s inability to manage the housing of mentally ill inmates, urging state lawmakers to address the issue and shift the financial burden to the Department of Health, Wyo File reports.
With increasing numbers of mentally ill individuals being held in local jails for extended periods, sheriffs are calling for changes to ensure proper care and alleviate county budgets strained by these prolonged incarcerations.
In a letter addressed to members of the Legislature, Uinta County Sheriff Andy Kopp and 13 other sheriffs from across the state expressed frustration over the lengthy delays in transferring individuals who have been ordered by judges to undergo mental health evaluations or treatment at the Wyoming State Hospital. The state hospital, located in Evanston, has been struggling with capacity issues, primarily due to staffing shortages and rising demand. The facility has only 104 beds, 25% of which are designated for individuals from the criminal justice system.
Sheriffs argue that individuals ordered to the state hospital for treatment or evaluations are often detained in local jails for months, sometimes longer than their potential sentence if convicted. In some cases, inmates are left untreated, facing deterioration in their mental health. Sheriff Kopp highlighted that his facility has held inmates for up to six months while waiting for space at the state hospital.
“This extended incarceration is often unnecessary and, for many, is a form of excessive punishment,” said Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken, another signatory of the letter. “They have not been tried or convicted, yet they are held for long periods, sometimes in precarious mental health conditions.”
The issue is exacerbated by the difficulty local jail staff face when guarding inmates with mental health crises. Many jails lack the expertise to provide appropriate care, making it harder to protect the inmates from self-harm and address their needs.
In addition to the human costs, these delays place a significant financial strain on local governments. According to Sheriff Kopp, Uinta County charges the Wyoming Department of Health $70 per day for each day an inmate is held after the 10-day period designated for their transfer. However, these costs have often gone unpaid by the department, with Kopp’s office accumulating over $700,000 in unpaid bills since 2018.
While the Wyoming Department of Health has acknowledged the challenges posed by the state hospital’s capacity issues, officials say existing law prevents them from reimbursing sheriffs for the costs incurred in holding individuals awaiting transfer to the state hospital. Health department spokesperson Kim Deti explained that under Title 7 of the state law, the department does not have the authority or budget to reimburse local jails for these expenses.
In response to these challenges, the health department is working on alternative programs, such as a jail diversion program and a telehealth initiative that allows inmates to receive mental health evaluations and prescriptions remotely. However, for many sheriffs, these solutions are not enough to address the immediate and ongoing issues facing local jails.
Sheriffs are urging lawmakers to take action by providing additional resources to the state hospital and mandating reimbursement for the costs of housing individuals awaiting mental health treatment. They believe this will not only help alleviate the burden on county budgets but also improve the care provided to those with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice system.
Sheriff Kopp emphasized that the issue is not just about filling budget gaps, but about ensuring that Wyoming’s mental health system can meet the needs of those in crisis.
“We need the resources to handle this issue properly,” he said. “The state must take responsibility for its part in this problem.”
