Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd says his agency is taking a new approach when it comes to providing mental health and substance addiction services at the Polk County Jail.

According to PCSO, the Polk County Jail is the largest mental health and substance-use disorder housing facility in the county. Studies show that 44% of jail inmates have some sort of mental health disorder and 63% of inmates have a substance-use disorder.

Despite multiple organizations working separately to help the inmates, Sheriff Judd says the groups were operating in silos and could better help the individuals by working together, Fox 13 reports. 

"For years, we have provided inmates opportunities for self-improvement, from faith-based programs to vocational and educational opportunities, to substance abuse treatment," stated Sheriff Judd. "What we are doing now is visionary in mental health treatment; we are bringing multiple partners together to focus on how we can best reduce the cycle of criminality. We are breaking down silos to provide resources and services to those who end up in our jail and want to live as productive citizens. By doing this, we are improving safety in our community." 

Participating partners include: 

• Polk County Sheriff’s Office

• Polk County Health and Human Services Division (Polk County Board of County Commissioners)

• Polk County Fire Rescue

• YesCare

• Tri-County Human Services, Inc.

• Winter Haven Hospital Center for Behavioral Health (BayCare)

• Lakeland Regional Health

• Peace River Center

• Narcotics Anonymous

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) –FL

• Heartland for Children

• Neighbor to Family, Inc.

• Heart for Winter Haven

• Florida Department of Corrections

• Cove Behavioral Health

• Polk County Probation, Polk County Court Services