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Missouri lawmakers raise concerns about long waits in jail for court-ordered mental health care

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missouriindependent.com – Clara Bates – 2025-02-17 15:37:00

by Clara Bates, Missouri Independent
February 17, 2025

Leaders of Missouri’s public defender system urged lawmakers on Monday to take action to reduce the growing number of people languishing in jails across the state who are in need of mental health treatment.

As of last month, 418 people were in Missouri jails waiting to be transferred to a state mental health bed, up from around 300 at this time last year. The average wait time was 14 months, with some held longer than the maximum sentence for the crime for which they were charged.

These are Missourians who were arrested but found incompetent to stand trial and ordered into treatment designed to restore their ability to have their day in court. Competency restoration generally includes medication treatment and therapy.

Missourians waiting in jail for court-ordered mental health care reaches all-time high

The Missouri House Health and Mental Health Committee spent most of an informational hearing Monday addressing the Department of Mental Health’s competency restoration program, with a presentation by Mary Fox, the director of the Missouri State Public Defender system, and Annie Legomsky, who runs the state public defense system’s holistic defense services program. 

“When somebody sits in a jail unmedicated and uncared for,” Fox said, “their mental health can get worse and so bad that they can never be cured.” 

Legomsky and Fox urged changes to state law to increase court referrals to community-based treatment, instead of holding those charged with nonviolent, low-level offenses in jail for months.

“If we could figure out a way to take care of more of these folks in the community,” Fox said,”we’re not only saving the state money in the competence restoration process, but we’re setting them up for success when they return to the community.” 

The state can’t create beds overnight, Fox said. 

“And until we can either create the community restoration and let folks receive the treatment that way or create the beds, we don’t have a quick solution to the problem,” she said.

Many of the public defender’s office’s clients who are found incompetent have schizophrenia, intellectual disabilities or are on the autism spectrum, Fox said. 

The legislature in 2023 passed a law giving the department the authority to provide treatment on an outpatient basis if the person could be safely released and wasn’t charged with a dangerous felony. But the department told The Independent last month that only two people have participated in the program so far.

The state also passed a law giving the department of mental health the ability to treat people within jails. The programs have been slow to get up and running, and three counties are in their early days of getting the programs started, the department told The Independent. 

Legomsky said Monday that solution is “not ideal” since “the jail is not a therapeutic environment.”

The hearing was designed to inform lawmakers, not to discuss any particular legislation. 

Rep. David Dolan, a Sikeston Republican, speaks at the House Health and Mental Health committee on Monday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Several of the legislators serving on the committee expressed concern with the waitlist.

“We just don’t have enough beds, that’s the answer,” said state Rep. David Dolan, a Republican of Sikeston “We don’t have enough beds, and restoration within county jails is very hit and miss.” 

State Rep. Tony Harbison, a Republican of Arcadia, said small counties are footing the bill, since counties are responsible for paying for jail stays.

“Fourteen months — we’re already spending a lot of money,” he said.

Legomsky estimated that the state would save around $480 in savings per day to do community-based competency restoration as opposed to the hospital setting, not to mention the cost savings for counties currently housing those individuals in jails.

One client, Fox said, was a 78-year-old woman with dementia who tossed lit matches in a laundromat waste basket — but was held in jail for a year, waiting for a mental health bed. 

State Rep. Jo Doll, a Democrat of St. Louis, responded: “Where’s the common sense part of that? How does someone, how do you all these people see this person day after day and let someone sit there for a year?”

A handful of lawmakers asked about the potential for a public-private partnership, and whether private hospitals could be included. The public defenders said that would be a question for the department of mental health. 

Mary Fox and Annie Legomsky, with Missouri State Public Defender’s Office, testify to the House Health and Mental Health Committee on Monday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Others asked about states that do things better. Legomsky said Washington state limits the wait time to 14 days, and recommended time limits be established in Missouri statute.

“Even closer to 30 days would be a huge improvement over 14 months,” she said.

Other recommendations included increasing funding for community crisis care, housing and substance use disorder treatment — wraparound services to help people become competent and remain healthy, Legomsky said. The state could also make community-based treatment the presumption for those charged with low-level, nonviolent offenses. She said the public defenders estimate around 80% of those on the waitlist are charged with low-level, nonviolent offenses, and could be treated on an outpatient basis. 

“We’re on the same side as the prosecutors, the sheriffs, the courts,” Legomsky said. “I think we all just want to find a solution.” 

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

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Anheuser-Busch to end PrideFest sponsorship after 30 years

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March 25, 2025

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www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-03-25 05:52:48

SUMMARY: Anheuser-Busch will end its 30-year sponsorship of PrideFest in St. Louis, a key event supporting the LGBTQIA community. The decision comes as PrideFest organizers face financial challenges, with the event already $150,000 short of last year’s funding. The loss of such a historic sponsor is particularly significant as other contributors have also reduced their support. Despite this setback, PrideFest officials are working to adjust the budget and continue the festival, which will take place in June 2025. A fundraising campaign, “45 for 45,” aims to garner community support for the event’s future.

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Pride St. Louis announced the decision Tuesday morning, expressing sadness over losing such a historic supporter. The festival, which is scheduled for June 28 and 29 at Soldiers Memorial Park, is facing a $150,000 funding shortfall compared to last year.

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St. Louis forecast: Beautiful for next couple of days

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5 hours ago

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March 25, 2025

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www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-03-25 04:52:35

SUMMARY: The weather in St. Louis will be pleasant for the next couple of days, with sunshine and mild temperatures. Today and tomorrow will be dry, though a little breezy. However, Thursday’s forecast for opening day calls for showers and the possibility of thunderstorms later in the day. The weekend will bring potential severe weather, with a risk of strong storms on Saturday and Sunday, though the severe risk for Saturday has been downgraded. Overall, enjoy the nice weather while it lasts, but be prepared for some wet conditions later in the week.

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A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for the weekend due to thunderstorms possible. Some storms could reach severe criteria.

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Introducing Busch Stadium’s new foods for the 2025 Cardinals season

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16 hours ago

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March 24, 2025

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fox2now.com – Joey Schneider – 2025-03-24 18:30:00

SUMMARY: Summarize this content to 100 words: ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are stepping up their food game this season, offering a mix of beloved local spots to national favorites at Busch Stadium. With new additions and revamped concession stands, there’s something to satisfy almost every appetite.

Here’s a brief breakdown of what’s new for this season…

MAYO KETCHUP

Mayo Ketchup, a local Latin food hotspot from St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood, now has a food stand across the Cardinals’ team store outside left field. Fans can enjoy a variety of international selections like Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, plantains and arepas.

CRUMBL COOKIES

Crumbl Cookies, known for its rotating lineup of gourmet cookies, will make its ballpark debut at Busch Stadium with a stand outside right field. The selections will include milk chocolate chip, chocolate cake batter, peanut butter, and a gameday mystery selection.

INTENTIONAL WOK

Intentional Wok is the new name for a stand formerly known as the Asian Café, serving up a variety of Chinese specialties with several protein options over noodles or rice. It is now served at a food station in centerfield as opposed to a small stand.

OUTFIELD GRILL

The Outfield Grill is a ballpark hot dog vendor with new specialty hot dogs topped with brisket, peppers, or sauerkraut.

FREDDY’S

Freddy’s has expanded to a second station in the stadium, adding a second spot focused on shakes and frozen treats, while its original location continues serving burgers and more dinner-like foods.

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WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

In terms of the concession layout, the biggest change fans will notice is in deep center field, where a concession stand near Ford Plaza has been transformed into a spot with three distinct food stations for Intentional Wok, Outfield Grill, and Freddy’s.

For many leaders of Busch Stadium’s food experience, these changes mark a significant step forward from previous seasons, bringing new excitement and variety to the ballpark food scene.

“Cardinal Nation has an expectation for the players on the field, and they also have an expectation of what they want to eat,” said Norman Taylor Jr., Busch Stadium executive sous chef. “We have to infuse local flavors with all-world style baseball because we are a baseball town and also we want to have cool, creative new things for the younger fans.”

“The cool thing for us is to see people’s reactions to the food because it does match baseball,” said Mayo Ketchup owner Mandy Estrella. “I’m super excited for my staff. They’re all from Latin America, so they’re all huge baseball fans. We’re very excited for them to see the fans excited about the food. They spend so much time making it, so it will be very cool to see people and have them excited for what they’re making.”

“Being called by the St. Louis Cardinals and asked to join forces for this season has been amazing,” said Melissa Bohlmann, Crumbl Cookies franchise owner. “We will be the first franchise in a major league stadium, and we’re really excited about it. We’ve got a lot of interest in what we’re going to serve, and we’re excited to release those cookies on Opening Day.”

“We have a great food experience,” said Taylor. “We have everything you want at a baseball game. There’s a reason they call this baseball heaven. When you have the fans come and say this is the best of this, or we’re so happy you had this, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

Opening Day is set for Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 3:15 p.m. To check on tickets still available for Opening Day, click here.

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