Officials: Mental health treatment not absent in jail

Despite some perceptions, Kane County Jail officials say inmates with mental illnesses have opportunities for treatment. While counties, including Kane, have programs to treat defendants with a mental illness – instead of incarcerating them – institutions continue to address mental health issues. Many defendants often don’t qualify for the diversion programs, and end up in jail. Between 17 and 19 percent of inmates in the Kane County jail have a mental illness, according to Cathy India, a registered nurse and the jail’s Health Administrator. The most commonly seen mental illness in jail is depression, India said. The jail’s health staff also deals with inmates with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia, she said