Task force to look at NYC correction system treatment of mentally ill

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new task force yesterday to overhaul how New York City's corrections system treats the mentally ill -- both in jail and out -- following the grisly deaths of two inmates with psychological problems.

Corrections experts applauded the task force as an important first step in addressing the problem underscored in Associated Press reports on the deaths of two mentally ill inmates -- one who an official said "basically baked to death" in an overheated cell and another who sexually mutilated himself and died of an apparent infection while locked up alone for seven days.

"For far too long, our city's jails have acted as de facto mental health facilities. Everyone deserves access to quality medical and mental health care -- and addressing these needs within the criminal justice system will improve public safety for all New Yorkers," the mayor said in an emailed statement.

The panel of government and private sector experts will recommend and implement strategies to treat people with mental illness or substance abuse issues before and after they end up in the jail system. It will also develop better standards for transitioning inmates back into the community and establishing treatment upon their release. The panel will hold its first meeting on June 18 and present its action plan to the mayor in September.

Experts cautioned that treating the mentally ill in the criminal justice system is complicated by the many agencies involved, from police to the district attorney's office.

The recent inmate deaths have raised new questions about the city jail system's ability to deal with a burgeoning number of mentally ill people. The two cases, both detailed by the AP, have prompted a city lawmaker to schedule oversight hearings this month. De Blasio has vowed to reform the 12,000-inmate Rikers Island jail, amid criticism for months about violence and erratic behavior among inmates.

Joseph Ponte, who was appointed New York City's jail commissioner two months ago, told lawmakers at a budget hearing yesterday that department officials have already instituted some changes when dealing with the mentally ill. Among them are having health staff and uniformed officers meet before every tour to talk about inmate behavior and adding an eight-hour basic mental health course at the correction officer training academy.

"Our top priority is to bring down violence, and we will do it by providing staff with the training and support they need to provide appropriate care, custody and control of our inmate populations, especially the mentally ill and adolescents," Ponte said.