Disrupting the Jail-to-Houselessness Cycle for People Living with Mental Disabilities

Teresa P.

Teresa P. is a Los Angeles County unhoused resident who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and manic-depressive disorder. Teresa P. was repeatedly released from County jail without referral to any medical, mental health, or social services, landing her back living on the streets.

Royal W.

Royal W. was released at least twice from County jail with only a handful of pamphlets and a prescription for his psychotropic medication. Because Royal W. was not informed about how to have his prescriptions filled without cost, he thought his only option was to be unmedicated since he had no money. Without his medications and the discharge care he required, Royal W. experienced suicidal ideation and sank into substance abuse, fighting, and stealing. He luckily found a bed at a community shelter later through word of mouth.

Lapriest V.

Lapriest V. hears voices, cannot sleep or eat, and experiences severe anxiety without his medications and he has long slept in shelters or on the streets. Despite housing and medicating Lapriest V. in the mental health unit of Twin Towers Correctional Facility, the County released him without medications or housing referrals, leaving him to simply ask another inmate for walking directions to Skid Row.

Mark S.

Mark S. has struggled with severe mental illness, homelessness, and substance addiction for most of his life. Mark S. served at least three sentences in County carceral facilities, including in mental health units, but was only ever released with a prescription and a referral to a housing program for which he did not qualify. Mark S. collapsed hours after his last release from County jail onto the streets, died for four minutes, and after revival by first responders, suffered irreversible kidney failure.

Derrick T.

Derrick T. is a veteran who served in the Army during the Gulf War. Derrick T. is living with post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. Despite informing County jail officials of his prescriptions and providers, Derrick T. never received mental health treatment in custody during his four jail sentences, let alone discharge care services. After being released, he slept under cardboard or at a shelter and was unable to obtain medication because he lacked identification.

Darsel W.

Darsel W. worked for 25 years in healthcare, including as a nursing assistant, before she was overcome by sudden and severe mental illness. Darsel W. was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other mental disabilities while incarcerated in County jail. Yet she was never given any medications while jailed nor upon release. After being discharged, Darsel W. found herself living between the streets and shelters.

David P.

David P. has struggled with chronic substance abuse and mental disabilities since childhood. David P. was a Skid Row resident and cycled frequently between there and jails. After being jailed for shoplifting, the County released David P. without referrals or other assistance, so he ended up back on the streets.

Timothy P.

Timothy P. has epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and other mental disabilities, including effects from traumatic brain injuries. County jails repeatedly released Timothy P. without any medication, connection to community housing resources, or basic re-entry needs such as identification.