Treatment in Jail

As a psychiatric social worker, I attest to the truth in the study criticizing jail treatment of the mentally ill in L.A. County (Oct. 16). One of our clients was recently held for eight days on a petty theft (shoplifting) charge in the Men’s Central Jail. During that time, and despite repeated calls to the mental health department at the jail, the client was never given his medications. When he was released, the meds he had on his person while arrested could not be found.

Throughout the ordeal of trying to secure this mentally ill client’s release, I found the jail system confused, chaotic and ultimately cruel toward the mentally disabled.

RAY MUNGO

Gardena