Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

MN law to keep mentally ill out of jails straining hospitals

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A 2013 law intended to keep the mentally ill from spending excessive time in county jails has resulted in an influx of inmates to Minnesota's psychiatric hospitals.

Since its passage, the law has Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center, the state's second-largest psychiatric hospital, struggling to contend with a shortage of beds and an increase in dangerous encounters between inmates and staff.

The Star Tribune reported that the hospital restricted admissions from county jails last month, an emergency measure that may have violated state law:

The suspension is also the latest signal of deeper flaws in Minnesota's mental health system, which has suffered from a chronic, severe shortage of psychiatric beds.

The conditions at Anoka-Metro, a 175-bed facility that treats people with complex psychiatric conditions, have become so dire that at least one state legislator has suggested bringing in the National Guard to protect patients and staff. The idea is supported by the public sector employees' union local that represents workers at Anoka-Metro.

Three guests joined MPR News' Tom Weber to talk about the issue.