CCSO, PBC enter agreement for inmate mental health treatment

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County Sheriff's Office has entered an agreement with Planned Behavioral Center to make mental health treatment more accessible for inmates.

The agreement aims to provide treatment for inmates battling unresolved mental health issues, thus keeping them out of jail facilities.

Many inmates are homeless and are unable to access mental health treatment and often rely on the county jail as their primary source of care.

Treatment is provided in jail however, the environment is not conducive to effective treatment due to high recidivism and release rates. Brief incarceration periods also do not allow for medications and treatment to take full effect.

The Raymondville facility will offer individualized treatment plans, counseling, housing, assistance in obtaining benefits and provide job and education training to qualifying residents.

Infirmary providers will work closely with the court system to facilitate transfers to this facility.

Upon arrival, PBC will provide clothing if needed, help residents find a primary care physician and maintain constant contact with attorneys for any court proceedings.

This agreement aims to help the county in two significant ways: to provide individuals with the necessary treatment they desperately need and to lower recidivism rates for this population.

This collaborative effort will provide a much-needed alternative to incarceration, addressing the root causes of mental health issues among inmates.

By offering continuous support and structured treatment plans, the agreement strives to foster long-term recovery and reintegration into society, ultimately benefiting the individuals and the broader community.