The first time I met with superintendent Nancy Leazer about the Municipal Correctional Institution, she told me the story of a guy named Donald. When he was booked into MCI in late 2006, she said, he was effectively paralyzed by mental illness. Two years later, he reentered society ready to take a job and rejoin his family. Without the rehabilitative services at MCI, Leazer said, "Donald would not have survived." His was one of several stories the superintendent has been circulating as evidence that the efforts at MCI do make a difference.
Twyla -- At 41 years of age, Twyla is lucky to be alive. She is a drug addict, a street prostitute, and is seriously mentally ill. Between 2005 and 2007, Twyla was arrested by officers of the KCPD 49 times, resulting in 29 incarcerations at MCI. Twyla was on track for 36 arrests in 2008. In a collaborative effort between MCI, Truman Behavioral Health and Swope Health Services, the probate court was petitioned to place Twyla under the guardianship of the Jackson County Public Administrator, a motion which was granted in August 2008. By order of the Public Administrator, Twyla was taken to Western Missouri Mental Health where she received daily care for her health and psychiatric needs. After a three-month hospitalization, she was stable enough to be discharged to a locked behavior unit in south Kansas City, where she continues treatment in a highly structured environment.
Donald -- Sentenced to four consecutive 180-day terms, Donald lived at MCI from December 2006 until his release in July 2008. A disorganized schizophrenic with profound anxiety disorder, Donald was uncommunicative and refusing to eat when he was incarcerated and completely unwilling, and unable, to live in general population. He spent a total of 389 days in segregation, during which time he refused to shower, shave or attend to even basic hygiene. Truman Behavioral Health QMHP worked daily with Donald and "bribed" him with candy bars to get him to leave his cell to shower and eat. After a year of persistent, daily effort, Donald finally agreed to see the visiting psychiatrist. Now on psychotropic medications, Donald was released to an MCI bed at reStart where staff provided coaching on life skills and medication management. With support from his TMC Case Manager, Donald continues to take his medications, works a job and lives with family members.
Omar -- Omar is a war refugee from a foreign country. When he came to the United States, he worked a full-time job and was successful. He spent time with friends from his home country. As his chronic paranoid schizophrenia progressed, he lost his job and his friends became frightened of his behaviors. He tried taking medication several times but was not successful. He entered MCI in early 2005 on charges of assault and contempt of court. Eventually, Omar was taken for evaluation and treatment at Western Missouri Mental Health Center, where he remained for a month. While at WMMHC, Omar began taking medications. With the help of a case manager from Truman Behavioral Health, Omar was released in October 2006 and has not returned to MCI. He remains on his medication and is living successfully in a local therapeutic group home.
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