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Mirror Indy Investigation Sparks Action to Keep Hospital Patients Out of Jail – WTOP News
Public defenders say the prosecutor-run program can drop charges if participants secure housing or complete mental health or substance abuse treatment.
- Following a Mirror Indy investigation, Marion County Public Defender Agency and prosecutors are diverting individuals arrested at local hospitals into the Quality of Life program, avoiding jail time for low-level misdemeanors like trespassing and disorderly conduct.
- Public defenders report a trend of arrests at four major Indianapolis hospital systems for non-violent offenses tied to mental illness, while housing an inmate costs taxpayers about $85 per day.
- Hospital officers frequently arrest individuals for trespassing after they ask to see a doctor or for disorderly conduct, yet private forces often lack body cameras, making evidence verification difficult in court proceedings.
- Under the Quality of Life program, participants who complete mental health or substance abuse treatment have their criminal charges dismissed, a measure Sheriff Kerry Forestal supports for connecting those experiencing mental illness with care.
- While some hospitals defend their police forces as necessary for staff safety, IU Health asserts it does not arrest individuals experiencing mental health crises, despite limited public oversight of private hospital police departments.
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Mirror Indy investigation sparks action to keep hospital patients out of jail – WTOP News
In the wake of a Mirror Indy investigation, Marion County public defenders and prosecutors are diverting people arrested at local hospitals from jail. “The vast majority of these cases are driven by mental health or substance abuse,” said Kendal Gulbrandsen, a lawyer who oversees the misdemeanor division at the Marion County Public Defender Agency. “Hospital officers want our clients gone immediately. They tend to go straight to an arrest.” Now,…
·Chevy Chase, United States
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Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Mirror Indy investigation sparks action to keep hospital patients out of jail
In the wake of a Mirror Indy investigation, Marion County public defenders and prosecutors are diverting people arrested at local hospitals from jail.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
L 38%
C 54%
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