Jefferson County in Texas is investing $8 million in a new diversion center for inmates with mental health needs. Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens, who is leading the initiative, explained that a significant portion of inmates at the Jefferson County Jail suffer from mental illnesses. This leads to challenges, including the need for some inmates to be placed on 24-hour watch. The diversion center aims to address the specific mental health needs of these individuals and reduce the strain on law enforcement officers and the correctional system.
Funding for the center is coming from a contract agreement involving the Port Arthur Police, Beaumont Police, and Jefferson County. The facility will have 20 beds, and individuals in crisis can be diverted from the criminal justice system to receive the help they need. The diversion center will include security personnel, mental health professionals for screening, nurses, and doctors. The goal is to provide short-term care for those experiencing mental health crises, typically with stays ranging from three to five nights. This approach aims to address overcrowding in the county jail and offer a more suitable response to individuals in crisis.
The center’s location is still under consideration, and officials are exploring the possibility of rehabilitating unused buildings at the Dream Center in Beaumont or constructing a new facility. The project must allocate the funding and have the facility operational by December 2024.
Once operational, the diversion center will require a team of mental health professionals and other staff members. The county is working with the Spindletop Center to secure grants to support staffing and has engaged Lamar University’s Criminal Justice Department to explore opportunities for students to gain practical experience and training at the center.
This initiative reflects the growing recognition of the need to provide appropriate mental health support for individuals involved in the criminal justice system and aims to break the cycle of incarcerating people who require mental health care rather than criminal penalties.
