VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office is rolling out a new program to improve mental health treatment for its inmates.
The Virginia General Assembly has approved nearly $1 million for the program from the state budget. The funding will let the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office partner with the Department of Human Services to create a never before seen program to help mental health patients.
Undersheriff Brian Struzzieri said a partnership with the Department of Human Services truly made this possible.
"To build partnerships like this is crucial. We wanted to start a mental health re-entry program because we can't wait until the day they get released and hope there's a clinician available or medication,” said Struzzieri.
The funding will provide 12 positions to staff the program which will focus on diverting, screening, and treating mental health patients before, during, and after incarceration. Within 24 to 48 hours of booking, an inmate will receive a full diagnostic screening, and staff will obtain their medical and psychiatric records while advocating for diversion for treatment outside of jail.
Throughout their time in jail, inmates will be monitored and work with a mental health expert on a re-entry program, to link inmates with resources and mental health upon their departure.
Within five days of being released from jail, the inmate must then check back in with the mental health expert to ensure they have access to medication and psychiatric help.
Chief Deputy Rocky Holcomb said the goal is to keep everyone safe.
"By having them here, we can get them treated and we can get them the resources they need. It's a place where now they'll be able to come, and we'll be able to treat their mental health problem, and we can get them back into society where they won't re-offend and come back,” said Holcomb.