Last month, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Kendall County Health Department to provide a counseling office within the Kendall County Jail. Kendall County inmates are now offered a full array of mental health services during their incarceration. The Health Department will provide services such as; crisis intervention, mental/behavior health treatment and addiction treatment. “The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is very pleased to partner with the Health Department to provide a counseling office in the jail. Our primary goal is to reduce recidivism by providing inmates the proper treatment needed that works effectively to increase the safety of everyone involved and divert these individuals away from the jail towards treatment and rehabilitation,” said Sheriff Dwight Baird.

Mental health duress and mental illness is pervasive within our society today, with 64% of jail inmates prisoners reporting mental health concerns. Further, 68% in local jails have substance use disorders. These conditions often co-occur; among people with mental health problems, 76% or persons in local jails also have substance use disorders (Mental Health America, 2019).

Three goals of the Health Department Crisis Counseling and Treatment Office inside the Kendall County Jail are:

1. Assess and mitigate mental health crisis
2. Facilitate assessment and treatment to address addiction struggle
3. Comprehensively assess for mental health needs and treat to restore wellness

“I want to express my gratitude to Sheriff Dwight Baird and his staff for his good will and humanity in requesting our embedded behavioral health crisis counseling and integrated treatment services inside the Kendall County Jail.” Dr. Amaal Tokars.