Justice Delayed: Missouri's Mental Health Exam Backlog

In Missouri, a serious issue has come to light. People accused of crimes and needing mental health exams are stuck in jail for way too long. A group of concerned citizens has taken the state to court. They want the Missouri Department of Mental Health to speed things up. The lawsuit, filed recently, is asking for big changes. It names the department and several state officials. The plaintiffs are friends and family of those stuck in jail, waiting for exams. They believe the state is breaking the law. The lawsuit claims the state is violating the rights of these individuals. The main problem? Long waits. After an exam, if someone is found not mentally fit to stand trial, they wait an average of 14 months in jail. State law says they should be moved to a treatment facility right away. But that's not happening.Local cases show just how bad the problem is. A murder suspect in Jefferson City was charged in 2018. It took five years to declare them incompetent to stand trial. Another case involves a person who died while waiting for an exam. Brooke Bailey passed away in the Cooper County Jail in 2023. Two jail staffers were charged in her death. The plaintiffs want the court to force the state to fix this. They're asking for a preliminary injunction. This would push the state to reduce wait times. It would also address the lack of mental health beds after a defendant is deemed incompetent. The lawsuit highlights a critical issue. It's not just about the law. It's about the people stuck in the system. They're waiting, often for years, for the help they need. The state has a responsibility to act. The court now has to decide if it will make them.