Inconsistencies in Oregon’s behavioral health and judicial systems are contributing to a “revolving door” of defendants at the Oregon State Hospital and community restoration programs, a new Oregon Health Authority study says.
Nearly one in four people in the state’s psychiatric hospitals in Salem and Junction City or community restoration during the 2017-2022 study had at least one previous admission to the hospital, according to a 183-page report released this month.
The purpose of competency restoration is “to restore someone’s mental capacity so they are well enough to proceed with their criminal case.”
But there are not enough resources or staff at the state hospitals or in local communities to restore an increasing number of defendants unable to aid their lawyers in their own defense.
U.S. federal Judge Michael Mosman in September 2022 ordered strict limits for the amount of time aid and assist patients could stay at the Oregon State Hospital so defendants spending long wait times in jail could be admitted for treatment. Once released, they often to live unhoused and sometimes to commit new crimes.