Ninety-six people have died in the Bexar County jail since 2020, a mounting toll that has intensified calls for authorities to keep people with serious behavioral health needs from entering the jail when public safety allows.
San Antonio and Bexar County officials are exploring a diversion and recovery center for some people accused of low-level offenses whose conduct is connected to mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance-use disorders. Instead of remaining in jail, eligible defendants could receive medical care, crisis stabilization and help entering longer-term treatment.
The proposal would not apply to everyone arrested, and there is no evidence that such a center would have prevented every jail death. Supporters contend, however, that detention in the county jail can be dangerous and ineffective for people experiencing psychiatric crises, drug withdrawal or other serious medical conditions.
Officials, including Sheriff Javier Salazar, have acknowledged that the jail has increasingly functioned as a behavioral health facility without being designed for that purpose.
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee unanimously advanced the proposal in January. The full council subsequently approved a $30,000 city contribution toward a feasibility study expected to cost approximately $100,000 to $120,000. The Center for Health Care Services is leading the planning effort, which will examine capacity, operating procedures, possible locations and projected construction and operating costs.
One model would provide stabilization for up to about two weeks before connecting participants with treatment, housing assistance or community supervision. Advocates say centralized services could also reduce jail crowding, repeat arrests and the time police officers spend processing people into custody.
District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo has advocated for a joint city-county committee involving behavioral health and housing providers and the Bexar County District Attorney's office. The goal is to replace a fragmented collection of programs with a coordinated diversion pipeline.
Important questions remain, including eligibility standards, who would authorize diversion at arrest or magistration, and how the center’s continuing operations would be financed.
A diversion center also would not eliminate the need to improve medical screening and care inside the jail.
Guest:
Terri Castillo is the District 5 representative on the San Antonio City Council.
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