COVID-19 Has Triggered Jail Population Drops—With One Exception

Jails across the U.S. are seeing reductions in their populations since the pandemic struck, yet local officials say the prevalence of mental illness in their facilities remains stubbornly high.

Our latest video features officials from Douglas County, KS and San Luis Obispo, CA—both recognized as Innovator Counties in the Stepping Up Initiative—help us uncover why people with mental illnesses are remaining in or returning to jail at higher rates than other populations, and how to change that.