“Untreated Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Lead to Tragic Death in Oklahoma Jail: Lena Corona’s Story”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: Mental Health Crisis in Oklahoma Jails: A Deadly Reality Revealed

Introduction

In a tragic incident that highlights the ongoing mental health crisis in Oklahoma, 18-year-old Lena Corona hanged herself just five days into her jail stay. Lena, who suffered from bipolar 1 disorder, was arrested for assault and battery with a deadly weapon after a violent episode. This case underscores the desperate need for better mental health care and support for individuals in crisis, as well as the inadequate resources available in Oklahoma’s jails to protect vulnerable detainees.

Inadequate Mental Health Care in Jails

According to an investigation by Oklahoma Watch, 28 jail detainees in Oklahoma died from untreated mental health or substance use conditions last year alone. Shockingly, this accounted for over half of the state’s 53 jail deaths. The mistreatment and deaths of detainees in Oklahoma jails often go unnoticed due to minimal accountability and oversight.

Vague State Laws on Mental Health Care

State laws regarding mental health and addiction care in jails are vague, leaving it up to jail officials to determine the frequency of checks on sick or suicidal detainees and when to seek emergency treatment. This lack of clear guidelines puts the lives of mentally ill detainees at risk, as they often face neglect, abuse, or even death behind bars.

Insufficient Reporting and Oversight

The investigation by Oklahoma Watch also revealed that not every jail complies with the requirement to report detainee deaths and suicide attempts. For example, the Pottawatomie County jail failed to report at least six deaths to the State Health Department since 2017 without facing any consequences. Inconsistencies in labeling jail deaths by the State Medical Examiner’s Office also lead to incomplete data on the true extent of the problem.

The Importance of Tracking and Accountability

Knowing how many people died in jails and the circumstances surrounding their deaths is crucial for preventing future tragedies. However, as Jeff Dismukes from the Department of Mental Health points out, there is a lack of advocacy and accountability for these individuals. Without proper tracking and reporting, it is challenging to address and improve the care provided to mentally ill detainees.

The Need for Triage and Treatment

Oklahoma faces widespread mental illness and substance abuse issues, exacerbated by high rates of childhood trauma, domestic violence, and incarceration. Many individuals do not receive the necessary help until they reach a crisis point, leading to police involvement and potential incarceration instead of proper care. County jails, ill-equipped to provide mental health or addiction treatment, often act as triage centers until individuals can be processed through the court system.

Police as Crisis Responders

Police departments in Oklahoma are experiencing a growing number of emergency calls related to mental health crises. While the state’s Mental Health Department offers specialized crisis intervention training for law enforcement, it is voluntary and not always available. Co-response programs, where mental health professionals accompany police officers on crisis calls, have shown promise but struggle to keep up with the volume of calls.

Limited Options for Detainees

When police respond to a crisis call, they have limited options for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Unless a judge orders an emergency detention, police can only release the person or take them to jail. Jails become the default option for many, despite being ill-equipped to provide the necessary care and support.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Lena Corona highlights the urgent need for comprehensive mental health care reform in Oklahoma’s jails. The state must improve oversight, accountability, and reporting to prevent further mistreatment and deaths of detainees. Additionally, better resources and alternative facilities are required to provide appropriate care to individuals in crisis, rather than relying on jails as a stopgap measure. Without these changes, the mental health crisis in Oklahoma jails will continue to claim lives and perpetuate the cycle of neglect and abuse..