Sheriff Grady Judd launches ‘groundbreaking’ mental health, substance addiction services at Polk County Jail

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says his agency is taking a new approach when it comes to providing mental health and substance addiction services at the Polk County Jail.

According to PCSO, the Polk County Jail is the largest mental health and substance-use disorder housing facility in the county. Studies show that 44% of jail inmates have some sort of mental health disorder and 63% of inmates have a substance-use disorder.

PCSO says that inmates who have untreated mental health issues and substance abuse disorders are more likely to participate in criminal activity after they are released from jail.

Despite multiple organizations working separately to help the inmates, Sheriff Judd says the groups were operating in silos and could better help the individuals by working together.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and community partners announce new mental health and substance addiction services for inmates.

“For years, we have provided inmates opportunities for self-improvement, from faith-based programs to vocational and educational opportunities, to substance abuse treatment,” stated Sheriff Judd. “What we are doing now is visionary in mental health treatment; we are bringing multiple partners together to focus on how we can best reduce the cycle of criminality. We are breaking down silos to provide resources and services to those who end up in our jail and want to live as productive citizens. By doing this, we are improving safety in our community.”

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During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Judd, along with Polk County Commission Chairman Bill Brasswell, social service provider CEOs, and representatives from over a dozen government agencies and non-profit organizations in Polk County, announced the STARR (Substance Treatment Advocacy Recovery and Reentry) Program.

“This is the first time in the history of the sheriff’s office that we’ve ever had an event such as this,” Sheriff Judd explained. “Our goal is to set the model and mold and the trend for not only this community and this county, but for the state and the nation.”

The STARR program began by merging the strengths of the Jail Alternatives to Substance Abuse program, provided by Tri-County Human Services and the Helping Hands program, from the Polk County Board of County Commissioners’ Health and Human Services Division.

This partnership focuses on individuals in need of substance-use disorder treatment who seek to live a life of recovery. Before getting out of jail, inmates will take part in group and individual treatment. They will also be given plans for successful reentry and support upon release.

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“We are not waiting on Washington DC or Tallahassee to act – we are joining forces with public and private community stakeholders to make a difference in Polk County regarding mental and behavioral health.” Sheriff Judd stated. “What we are doing now is visionary in mental health treatment; we are bringing multiple partners together to focus on how we can best reduce the cycle of criminality.”

The program will be expanded through a phased approach to reach inmates in other parts of the jail system.

Participating partners include:

“We’ll give people the opportunity to not only stay out of jail, but to become physically more healthy as well as mentally more healthy, and they can carry on a productive life,” Judd said, adding he expects the program to help reduce crime. “Our crime is at a 51-year low, and we could just be satisfied with that because it is a remarkably low crime rate, but we’re not satisfied. We want to improve the health, the physical health, the mental health of those that are in our community and our society. We are seeing our need, and we are all together filling that need.”

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