“The Last Appeal” is a series uncovering the inadequate jail conditions and lack of health resources for those incarcerated at the Monroe County jail, despite efforts by law enforcement officers, and how this is not the only county jail in the country struggling with these complex issues.

Joseph Thacker has been booked into the Monroe County Jail a total of 31 times. The first several times were a blur for him due to substance use or alcohol addiction issues. 

“I couldn’t figure out how to stop using. I feel like that’s maybe a huge issue today with the jail population…The majority of the people who probably are incarcerated suffer from a mental illness and it’s not properly treated,” Thacker said. “Then there’s a percentage of them that’s probably committed an offense to gain money for their habit. It’s just like a revolving [cycle].”

Thacker’s offenses range from impaired driving to possession of illegal substances. A cycle of incarceration and addiction with seemingly no end in sight, he said, exacerbates a sense of hopelessness. 

Thacker’s story is not unique. There are many like him in the criminal justice system. 

14% of those incarcerated for “violent offenses” in Monroe County Jail reported that they committed the crimes to obtain drugs or money for drugs, according to a 2021 Criminal Justice Report.

In a meeting detailing their vision for a new jail, the Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee (CJRC) stated their desire to expand treatment and programming options to reduce recidivism rates. However, there is no consensus, and experts working within and with those in the criminal justice system hesitate at the idea that jails can provide people with recovery tools for mental health or substance abuse issues.

Recidivism rates in the Monroe County Jail

Thacker’s experience reflects a key issue addressed in the 2020 Monroe County Incarceration Study — growing recidivism rates in the Monroe County Jail. While the total number of people booked in jail decreased 2.3% from 2003 to 2018, the instances of a single individual being booked multiple times increased by 26.6% from 2003 to 2018.

“I never was really properly treated [for addiction issues while incarcerated]. Once I was released, it was just a lot of stress and so then I would just like self-medicate,” Thacker said.

Approximately 45% of those incarcerated for driving under the influence, intoxicated or impaired, and 51% of those labeled as public order offenses in the Monroe County Jail faced drug dependence or abuse issues, according to another 2021 Criminal Justice Report.

The study noted that substance use disorders were much higher among those incarcerated for property or drug offenses, compared to more violent offenses. This leads people struggling with these disorders or illnesses to experience reincarceration at a much higher rate. 

Building a new jail with more resources

The Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee agreed on a list of non-binding recommendations for building a new county jail earlier this year. The newly approved proposal included building a facility with no more than 400 beds in an area close to existing services. 

In March, Indianapolis-based DLZ was announced as the firm that will design the new jail. DLZ was one of three firms committee members felt supported mental health needs, future flexibility for programming care, and bed space, among other needs. 

Yet, residents and other elected officials voiced their objections to this decision at the March committee meeting. “I am concerned with hiring a firm that is known to build very large jails and of course then would benefit from a recommendation to build a large facility. I wonder if there might not be a conflict of interest there,” said Isabel Piedmont-Smith, a Bloomington City Council member.

The commissioners noted in response that the committee unanimously chose DLZ over two other firms. The ultimate decision was up to them, they stated, despite objections from the public.

The decision and responses from the commissioners have led to further arguments and disagreements. As of April, Monroe County commissioners and the Sheriff’s office continue to be at odds over DLZ.

In a seven-page email, the current Monroe County Sheriff, Ruben Marté claims that the commissioners’ actions during the selection process might have violated state code. 

While the estimated cost of building a new jail in Monroe County was said to be between $22 to $56 million dollars, a budget has not been addressed in further detail in committee meetings.

Mental health and incarceration

Building a new jail is just one part of a comprehensive review of the incarceration system within Monroe County. The 2021 Criminal Justice Report commissioned by the County notes that the incarceration of people with mental illness and addiction is “counterproductive to recovery,” stating that certain conditions of incarceration, such as segregation, are “inhumane, unethical and illegal.”

The study cites reports that the current Monroe County jail does not set up people with mental illness and addiction on an effective road to recovery or reintegration into community integration.

Donyel Byrd, a social worker in Bloomington, is skeptical of the idea that jails can provide incarcerated people with recovery tools.

“I think people are desensitized to jails and prisons. We’re literally caging humans for their mental health and substance use disorder,” Byrd said. “And so, when you start thinking about it as an opportunity to provide treatment, you’re just legitimizing caging people with mental health and substance use problems. 

Byrd has worked with individuals who have experienced incarceration, as well as families and children of those in the criminal justice system. Her son was also incarcerated in the Monroe County Jail. She notes her son, along with many others, was incarcerated due to mental health and substance use issues.

“The research doesn’t bode well for providing treatment services while people are incarcerated. It’s a traumatic experience,” Byrd continues. “What we know from a professional point or a research perspective on trauma [is that] when you need treatment, you need to be in a place where you’re safe, where you’re not experiencing trauma.” 

Byrd argues that funds should be funneled into prevention treatment, rather than incarcerating more individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.

Rehabilitation alternatives to incarceration

New Leaf, New Life is one of the only non-profit organizations in Bloomington focused on restorative justice services for people during and post-incarceration. 

New Leaf, New Life Executive Director Jordan McIntire notes the unintended consequences of people receiving treatment while incarcerated is that the prosecutors or judges argue that those individuals need to be incarcerated to get rehabilitative services.

“In theory, these are all like great things that the community needs, but I don’t think that it’s the responsibility of a jail system to facilitate that. And I don’t see that being successful,” McIntire said. “If people are in jail and they’re offered the opportunity [to stay incarcerated and receive rehabilitative services], my assumption is that 99% of people would rather sleep on the street than be even near a jail.”

New Leaf, New Life serves roughly 75% of people in the Monroe County Jail. Joseph Thacker is one of them. 

During his active addiction, the cycle of incarceration led Thacker back to using substances.

“With substances and chemicals and like, it’s hard to find a sense of happiness,” Joey said. “So you just go back to what you know worked for you…it’s just a very vicious cycle. Once you learn how to transform your way of thinking, then I think, that’s when the process begins.”

The catalyst that changed Joey’s trajectory, he said, was practical help and direction from New Leaf, New Life. Their resources, structure, and guidance were steps he could rely on to propel him forward.

“That little bit of hope that there’s somebody out there that cares, that goes such a long way,” Joey said.

Indiana’s incarceration rates are among the highest rates in the nation. In the next story, data and experts detail how overcrowding, disintegration, and high recidivism rates are just a few of the many reasons that lead to county jails nationwide being in constant states of distress and neglect.

“The Last Appeal” Part 3: Inadequate jail conditions are not just a Monroe County problem, but a national crisis for the criminal justice system