Houston’s biggest jail wants to shed its reputation as a mental health treatment center

AUSTIN, Texas — The Harris County sheriff's office doesn't want its jail to be the largest mental health facility in Texas anymore — but first it needs to find somewhere else to accommodate patients before they get swept up in the criminal justice system.

The office created a separate bureau last year responsible for mental health and jail diversion. While other law enforcement departments around the country are also trying to keep mentally ill and drug-addicted patients out of jail and into treatment, Harris County believes it's the first to formally create a separate bureau responsible entirely for mental health and jail diversion. It has equipped deputies with tablets that connect to a psychiatrist for on-the-spot treatment or triage and will set up a central booking desk this fall to better sort those arrested into treatment before they get charged with a crime.