Hays County leaders approve program to help suspects deemed mentally unfit for trial

HAYS COUNTY, Texas - Hays County leaders are hoping to restore competency to suspects deemed mentally unfit for trial.

The Hays County Commissioners Court is supporting a future jail-based competency restoration (JBCR) program. It would provide therapy and treatment for incompetent defendants.

"The anguish of our current system is that people on the margins are waiting in jail," said Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins. "The existing regime is the worst possible arrangement for these vulnerable persons."

Hays County currently houses all incompetent defendants in jail until the state's mental hospitals can find room for them. However, that can sometimes take as long as 20 months due to a lack of statewide resources.

The court was unanimous in its support of the future program. Its vote to approve the letters of support is the first step in exploring a partnership with Hill Country MHDD for a future JBCR program.

Details regarding services and oversight will be addressed at a later date.

"This is just the first step in the process," said Precinct 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen. "If it comes back to court, we will review these services and what the oversight would be."

"We want to have meaningful treatment for these individuals that I don’t believe we’ve had in the past," said Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. "We need to be sure that if we move forward with these programs, the details are an important part of the contract."