To the editor:

Before we consider the jail expansion, we should consider the expansion of the mental health hospitals or institutions. Many of the beds in the jail are set aside for victims of mental illness who cannot be taken care of effectively by the police. Just because the state closes mental hospitals doesn’t mean the problems will go away. 

Why should the police have to deal with mental health issues in the jails? Is this their area of expertise? This is not fair to the inmates or the police. 

This is another result of faulty health care by our state. Dare we let the seriously mentally ill be integrated into the community with guns to kill children, social workers, friends trying to help them, patrons of theaters, road rage people, and drive-by shootings.