OMAHA, Neb. — Douglas County officials marked a significant milestone Tuesday as they broke ground on a new mental health facility, a crucial addition to the county jail aimed at addressing the mental health crises that often lead individuals to incarceration.
The new 35,000-square-foot facility will provide specialized services for inmates struggling with severe mental health issues, including those who are suicidal, experiencing psychosis or schizophrenia, and other serious conditions. The facility, which will be built above the gated parking lot adjacent to the county jail, will house 80 beds and offer a range of services, including counseling and pharmaceutical treatment.
The timing of this expansion is critical, according to Douglas County Department of Corrections Director Mike Myers. For the second consecutive month, more than half of the inmate population has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Additionally, the number of inmates placed on suicide precautions and undergoing withdrawal protocols for opioids and alcohol has nearly doubled over the past three years.
County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson, who has been a key advocate for the facility, noted that this initiative stems from the state’s behavioral health reform in the early 2000s. “We anticipated that closing state facilities would lead to an increase in individuals with mental illness ending up in our jails,” Borgeson said. “And that’s exactly what happened.”
With the new facility, Myers emphasized that his staff will be better equipped to provide effective treatment for inmates with mental health needs, while also improving care for other vulnerable populations within the jail. “By moving those on suicide precautions and withdrawal protocols to a safer, more therapeutic environment, we can stabilize them more effectively,” Myers said. “This shift will also allow our medical team to focus more on inmates with other medical needs.”
The addition is also expected to enhance safety for corrections staff and support inmates’ long-term success after release. “Our goal is not just to stabilize inmates while they’re in custody, but to ensure they have access to continued care after release, reducing the likelihood of re-incarceration,” Myers added.
The $34 million project is fully funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is slated for completion by late 2026.
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