AFSCME MARYLAND MEMBERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS DEMAND CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS
September 18, 2017
Contact:
Maureen O'Connor
410-913-4061
[email protected]
BALTIMORE — AFSCME Maryland members along with community activists, state Sen. Richard Madaleno, Del. Antonio Hayes, and Councilwoman Shannon Sneed will hold a press conference Tuesday, September 19 at noon in Baltimore, calling attention to the public health crisis affecting mental health patients across the state.
“These patients are languishing in jail cells instead of receiving care in hospitals,” said Jazzmen S. Knoderer, AFSCME Maryland spokeswoman. “Workers in these facilities saw this crisis coming and warned the state year after year. Now, we’re in a public health crisis because the state refused to act.”
Despite court orders requiring treatment in hospitals, many mental health patients remain in jail due to bed shortages at health facilities state-wide. The staffing crisis affecting correctional centers in Maryland has worsened the problem, adding more inmates in jails across the state at a time when they are already critically understaffed. Union members and community groups plan to keep the pressure on Governor Hogan and his administration to provide care for seriously ill and incompetent defendants wrongfully confined in jail.
Who:
AFSCME Maryland members and union president Patrick Moran, state Sen. Richard Madaleno, Del. Antonio Hayes, Councilwoman Shannon Sneed, Baltimore Chapter CBTU president Courtney Jenkins and community activists
When:
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at noon
Where:
401 E. Eager Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
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