interesting article, but jails have been the "new" institutions since they closed most of the mental hospitals in the 70's and kicked everybody out on the streets. now you have to be in danger of harming yourself or others to get into a mental hospital and then it is only until you are "stable". whatever the hell that means.
insurance companies will no longer pay for the needed mental health care that so many need and the government is broke so that leaves most of us out in the cold when we have a loved one (or ourselves) that needs help.
this is one reason we have so many people living on the streets. the vast majority are mentally ill and unable to receive care. unfortunately, so many have been without care for so long that short term fixes no longer work. they have no way to continue to take medication or see a doctor.
and then there is the problem of not enough beds. we had a case here last year involving one of our state senators. he tried to seek help for his son and there were no beds available. although the young man was clearly a threat to himself and others, the hospital sent him home. he stabbed his father and killed himself the next day. the father is now trying to use his position to improve access to mental health care, but...
i could go on all day about this, but out of kindness i'll stop my rant.
hugs and puppy kisses

Goodness Chilvr that is horrible! I was in Cook county jail for stoppin to use the bathroom in an elementary school during my first manic/psychotic episode. Had it not been for my parents I'm sure I would still be there as unwell still. Mentally ill people living in prison just breaks my heart.