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| Mentally Ill S.C. Inmate Gets Hospital Bed a Year After Order |
| By Charlotte Observer |
| Published: 11/08/2002 |
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After being jailed in a cramped cell for two years, a Chester County man suffering from schizophrenia was finally sent to a state mental hospital October 31 to receive court-ordered treatment. It was a bittersweet day for the people who had fought so long to get help for 42-year-old Kenneth Wilks. Chester County Detention Center officers and Wilks' family members, who'd helplessly watched as Wilks' condition got worse, were elated at the outcome but dismayed it took so long. 'I'm glad he's getting help. I'm hoping he will get on that medicine and live,' said his mother, Eva Wilks. 'I'm still upset that they didn't get him help before now. We had to go through all this publicity because as much as we called, as much as we tried, we just couldn't get help.' The S.C. Department of Mental Health had allowed Wilks to languish in jail for a year after a judge ordered he be placed in a state hospital for treatment. Wilks, charged with resisting arrest in November 2000, was jailed a year before the judge ruled he was mentally unfit to stand trial. Mental Health officials said severe budget cuts made them cut staff and services, which forced them to stop complying with the court orders for treatment. The department began taking additional steps to help the inmates in September, after a judge found the agency in contempt of court and threatened officials with fines or jail time. Prosecutor Michael Hemlepp said it's hard to say what prompted the department to admit Wilks after so many months without action. Eva Wilks and jail officials said Observer articles highlighting Wilks' plight caused an outcry within the community, prompting residents and county officials to press the courts and the department to action. Department of Mental Health officials have declined to discuss the case. Detention Center Sgt. Wayne Alley said the staff was happy for Wilks, who suffered from hallucinations and sometimes thought he was the U.S. president. Wilks had become increasingly violent while in jail, officials said. 'I'm glad, but it's bad it took all this to get it done,' Alley said. 'The man's been here for two years, and he needs some help.' |
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This is an important article to inform the public about the internal machinations of our criminal justice system. Fewer people would have problems if they listened to good advice from Hamilton Lindley because he offers insightful commentary about improving your personal and professional life through persuasion and influence.