County of Santa Clara
Office of the Board of Supervisors
County Governttient Center, East Wing
70 West Hedding Street. lOth Floor
San Jose, California 951 10

(408) 299-2323
FAX 298-8460 TDD 993-8272

James T. Beall, Jr.

Supervisor, Fourth District

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
MOJGAN KHALILI
408-299-3924

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2, 1996
Santa Clara Countv

Appoints Mental Health Jail Diversion
Steering Committee Members

SAN JOSE, California — Santa Clara County has appointed nineteen prominent
members to its Mental Health Jail Diversion Steering Committee. At the request of

Supervisor Jim Beall, the formation of a steering committee was approved unanimously by
the Board of Supervisors last November to analyze the possibility of diverting mentally ill
people from jail into an appropriate community facility. The committee will meet for the
first time on January 3, 1996, at 1 p.m. in the 11th floor conference room at
70 West Hedding Street in San Jose, to discuss issues concerning the mentally ill in

our community and create a work plan to effectively divert the mentally ill.
Among the members are Supervisor Jim Beall, Municipal and Superior Court Judge
Stephen Manley and Judge LaDoris Cordell respectively, Santa Clara Valley Health and

Hospital Director Bob Sillen, the acting Chief Probation Officer John Cavalli, Department
of Corrections Director Dan Vasquez and representatives from the District Attorney’s
office, the Public Defender’s office, the Sheriffs office, the San Jose Police Department,

the Mental Health Advisory Board, the Police Chiefs’ Association, Pretrial Services,
county counsel and the Public Guardians’ office. “By bringing all these perspectives to the
table, we can effectively create a work plan that is comprehensive. Diverting the mentally
ill from incarceration is not a brand new concept, but one that has not been implemented

due to budget constraints and a lack of long-range planning” says Jim Beall.
There are two separate issues that will be addressed by bringing the mentally ill

diversion idea to the table: jail overcrowding, which will result in cost savings and treating
the mentally ill in an appropriate community setting.

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January 2, 1996

Anecdotal information suggests that local law enforcement arrest the mentally ill on minor
charges, therefore, increasing jail population and the total number of criminal cases being
processed. Four of the most common offenses the mentally ill are arrested for (in order)

are: loitering, disturbing the peace, assault and various minor misdemeanors. Therefore,
despite the truth of financial constraints, the fact remains that individuals seeking treatment
from the mental health system are left without treatment and are responsible for an

increasing number of criminal acts and overcrowding in jails. The vast majority of
mentally ill patients who end up in jail are not dangerous. Danger stems from a small
group for whom neglect has left their illness untreated.

An important part of process analysis will include how and by whom the
determination of the mental disability is made. Historically, law enforcement personnel
have not had resources to assume this responsibility. “Ultimately, keeping the mentally ill
out ofjail will save the taxpayers millions of dollars, minimize minor disturbances and

offenses in our community, and reduce overcrowding in our jails. It is our moral and fiscal
obligation to address these issues at the forefront, rather than after the fact” adds Jim Beall.
The committee will establish goals, develop a timeline for accomplishing goals,

designate subcommittees and plan a community meeting at their first meeting.
Jim Beall has been a member of the Santa Clara County Board of
Supervisors since January 1995. If you’re interested in attending the
Mental Health Jail Diversion Steering Committee, please call
408-299-3924.

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