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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Resolution Supporting "Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with <br /> Mental Illnesses in Jails" <br /> WHEREAS, counties routinely provide treatment services to the estimated 2 million people with <br /> serious mental illnesses booked into jails each year; and <br /> WHEREAS, prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in confinement facilities are three to <br /> six times higher than for the general population, with statistics showing that almost 13% of <br /> North Carolina's prison population requires some type of intervention due to mental health <br /> issues; and <br /> WHEREAS, almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co- <br /> occurring substance use disorders; and <br /> WHEREAS, adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a <br /> higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders; and <br /> WHEREAS, county jails spend two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that <br /> require interventions compared to those without these treatment needs; and <br /> WHEREAS, without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses can <br /> continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for <br /> these individuals, their families, and their communities; and <br /> WHEREAS, county jails are generally an unsafe environment for those with mental health <br /> treatment needs; and <br /> WHEREAS, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners has undertaken a <br /> serious <br /> effort to address the local service needs of those with mental illnesses through the <br /> appointment of a special Task Force; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County, like all counties, takes pride in our responsibility to protect and <br /> enhance the health, welfare and safety of our residents in efficient, safe, and socially just <br /> ways; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, through the Stepping Up Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the <br /> Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation are <br /> encouraging counties to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in county jails; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Orange County Board of Commissioners: <br /> 1. That the Board of Commissioners does hereby sign on to the Call to Action to reduce the <br /> number of people with mental illnesses in our county jail, and commits to sharing lessons <br /> learned with other counties in North Carolina and across the country to support the Stepping <br /> Up Initiative; and <br /> 2. That the Board of Commissioners will utilize resources available through the Stepping Up <br />