City Must Help Mentally Ill Inmates

New York, NY —

A judge has ruled that the city must help mentally ill inmates released from city hospitals to transition back into their communities.

In 2003 the city settled a lawsuit and agreed to provide mentally ill inmates with a 7-day supply of medication and a 3-week prescription upon release. The former prisoners are also supposed to be given medicaid benefits and help getting into a shelter or special housing.

But the city argued that those who are hospitalized are not entitled to the same services.

A judge ruled against the city saying inmates at Bellevue, Kings County and Elmhurst hospitals are the most in need of discahrge planning.

State Supreme Court Justice Richard Bruan says giving patients help could help reduce crime. The city's law department issued a statement saying it is mindful of the needs of those in psychiatric detention wards, but maintains they don't fall under the settlement.