Mental Health Behind Bars
Too often, people living with a mental health condition don’t get the help they need and end up in jail. There, they go from being potential psychiatric patients to being inmates — expected to comply with orders or face consequences, even when their conditions make this difficult or impossible. WITF is exposing conditions at jails and prisons in Pennsylvania, showing how people who need help are often hurt instead. And WITF is looking for solutions — highlighting areas where law enforcement and mental health professionals are trying humane alternatives.
Additional coverage:
Featured Stories
Jails fail to accommodate people with mental illness. In some cases, it’s a civil rights violation.
Conditions in some corrections facilities are a a moral failure that also costs taxpayers millions.
Pennsylvania lawmakers weigh in on need for reforms after investigation into county jails and mental health
Prison oversight boards and funding for jails are among the ideas presented.
In Pa. county jails, people with mental illness are routinely met with pepper spray and stun guns
A WITF investigation finds that Pennsylvania county corrections officers use physical force on people who may be unable to comply with orders due to a mental health condition.
Pennsylvania mental health advocates hopeful for funding increase
Recent Stories
-
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Meta, states including Pa. agree to $17 billion settlement in child safety trial
The social media giant also agreed to make sweeping changes to Instagram and Facebook.
By John Ruwitch, NPR -
Marc Levy
Assaults on staff level out in Pa.’s SCI-Camp Hill prison
After two months with above-average numbers of assaults on staff at the state prison in Camp Hill, new data show a drop in incidents. The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association is still calling for security reforms.
-
Carolyn Kaster
Pa. prison staff call for harsher punishments after spike in assaults at SCI-Camp Hill
Assaults against staff increased 44% through the first five months of 2026 at a state prison in Cumberland County, according to Department of Corrections data.
-
Matt Slocum
Pa.’s public school code puts a priority on student safety, mental health
New programs will create cyberbullying policies and provide social media literacy education for students.By Emily Scolnick, Pennsylvania Capital-Star -
Hotline for Pa. farmers sees major drop in calls, texts amid mental health crisis
The AgriStress Helpline had a surge in calls from Pennsylvania farmers in its first year. But since 2024, usage has dropped.By Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College -
Jaxon White
Counties urge lawmakers to raise funding for 911, mental health, property reassessments
Pa. budget season kicks off next week with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s annual address on Tuesday. -
Dylan Caleho
Mental health care workers face too many needs, not enough money on the front line of Pa.’s self-made crisis
Mental health providers often know what works for the people they serve. But there’s not enough resources to help everyone in need.By Danielle Ohl/Spotlight PA