Over the last year, I have watched someone I love and care for struggle with the mental disease known as Schizophrenia. This person currently sits in jail due to the lack of resources available for those in need of long term treatment. I have exhausted every possible option seeking help and was met with constant legal roadblocks, that even the people in the positions did not agree with but “thats policy”.

My loved one was involuntarily committed several times, but each time was let go by individuals who spent 30 minutes assessing them. Incarceration was the only way to get access to a long-term facility since admission is solely based on court orders. This is not right. Jails are not equip to handle mental illness as it is often rare for those types of resources to be available let alone for someone with such a severe disorder as schizophrenia. 

In Pennsylvania, individuals with mental health disorders like schizophrenia are disproportionately represented in jails and prisons. According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), approximately 20% of inmates in jails and 15% of inmates in state prisons suffer from serious mental illnesses. These individuals often do not receive adequate care or legal support, leading to repeated cycles of incarceration or homelessness after incarceration without proper treatment. 

We need dedicated legal advocacy programs accessible in Pennsylvania that can provide essential support and resources for those with a history of schizophrenia and incarceration. These programs can ensure that individuals receive appropriate treatment rather than being trapped within the criminal justice system. It will also lift the burden that is currently placed on family members who must choose between the wellbeing of a loved one or their own. 

Please sign this petition if you believe that everyone deserves access to proper mental health care and legal representation & want to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves!