This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42517839
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mental health care a 'national problem' says sheriff | Mental health care a 'national problem' says sheriff |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A Mississippi sheriff says the United States has a "national problem" with how it treats mental health patients in the justice system. | A Mississippi sheriff says the United States has a "national problem" with how it treats mental health patients in the justice system. |
Greg Pollan was speaking after an investigation by the BBC and ProPublica into the case of Tyler Haire. | Greg Pollan was speaking after an investigation by the BBC and ProPublica into the case of Tyler Haire. |
Haire - who had a long history of mental health problems - was in jail for almost four years without trial while waiting to be assessed. | Haire - who had a long history of mental health problems - was in jail for almost four years without trial while waiting to be assessed. |
He is now serving a seven-year sentence for stabbing his father's girlfriend. | He is now serving a seven-year sentence for stabbing his father's girlfriend. |
After committing the crime aged 16, Haire was detained in Calhoun County jail, Mississippi. | After committing the crime aged 16, Haire was detained in Calhoun County jail, Mississippi. |
He couldn't be tried until his mental health was assessed - which took 1,266 days because of a shortage of hospital beds for pre-trial defendants. | He couldn't be tried until his mental health was assessed - which took 1,266 days because of a shortage of hospital beds for pre-trial defendants. |
Haire's victim, Shelia Hughes, survived, but lost part of her colon and suffered mental health problems afterwards. | Haire's victim, Shelia Hughes, survived, but lost part of her colon and suffered mental health problems afterwards. |
The BBC and ProPublica published their investigation this week. | The BBC and ProPublica published their investigation this week. |
In a Facebook post, Sheriff Pollan said: "In law enforcement, we all work cases that have personal impacts on us. | In a Facebook post, Sheriff Pollan said: "In law enforcement, we all work cases that have personal impacts on us. |
"Through my 30+ year career I have had my fair share of those that you just can't let go of. | "Through my 30+ year career I have had my fair share of those that you just can't let go of. |
"One case that will stick with me long after my career is over is the case of Tyler Haire." | "One case that will stick with me long after my career is over is the case of Tyler Haire." |
He said that the local court system, including his sheriff's office and the prosecuting district attorney, had tried repeatedly to get Haire a mental health evaluation. | He said that the local court system, including his sheriff's office and the prosecuting district attorney, had tried repeatedly to get Haire a mental health evaluation. |
With no outside help, the sheriff's team looked after Haire, giving him comic books and buying him confectionery. | |
Sheriff Pollan added: "This case is not and was not unique to Calhoun County. | Sheriff Pollan added: "This case is not and was not unique to Calhoun County. |
"It's a state wide problem and it's a national problem that must be addressed." | "It's a state wide problem and it's a national problem that must be addressed." |
Dozens of legally innocent inmates are stuck in Mississippi's county jails every year, their trials delayed for months and years because the state is unable to give them a pre-trial mental evaluation. | Dozens of legally innocent inmates are stuck in Mississippi's county jails every year, their trials delayed for months and years because the state is unable to give them a pre-trial mental evaluation. |
Sheriff Pollan said he was initially "very hesitant" about speaking to reporters about the case. | Sheriff Pollan said he was initially "very hesitant" about speaking to reporters about the case. |
But in his Facebook post, he urged people to "read the story, watch the video link, and share this with everyone". | But in his Facebook post, he urged people to "read the story, watch the video link, and share this with everyone". |
After having his mental health evaluated and being declared competent, Haire was sentenced to seven years in prison. | After having his mental health evaluated and being declared competent, Haire was sentenced to seven years in prison. |
He is now in a state prison, two hours from Calhoun County jail, where he has still not been seen by a psychiatrist. | He is now in a state prison, two hours from Calhoun County jail, where he has still not been seen by a psychiatrist. |
He is due to be released in late 2018. | He is due to be released in late 2018. |
Previous version
1
Next version