Kent County jail aims to be supportive space for women

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is reopening its female mental health unit at the county jail after making some changes.

The unit temporarily closed for five months as it underwent renovations and an expansion.

Over the last 15 years, the Kent County Correctional Facility has seen an increase in women inmates. There’s also been a rise in the number of female inmates dealing with significant mental health and substance use challenges.

“All of the stressors that exist prior to incarceration, like I have or you have, all exist for those people who come stay with us too but they might be exacerbated by a health condition or substance use disorder and while they’re here, they’re dealing with all of those things,” said Chief Deputy Lyndsie Cole with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

Cole said it’s important to address the day-to-day stressors or underlying issues inmates may be facing.

“In order for someone to reenter into the community more successfully,” Cole explained.

A renovated female mental health unit at the Kent County jail will be part of the solution. The unit, which can hold around 45 inmates, includes new features such as a day room space.

“Meaning a space where people can come out sit, receive face-to-face treatment, come out and mingle with one another, emphasizing the need for those relationships,” Cole said.

Grand Rapids artist E’lla Webber also painted murals on the wall, with inspirational messages, which Cole says deinstitutionalizes the setting.

“Females respond very differently than males. So, a setting like this is important for them, it’s important for the success of their treatment, and it’s important for them to feel like this is a space they feel supported in,” Cole said.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office contracts with VitalCore Medical Services and Network 180 to have full-time mental health clinicians at the jail but they also work with many other community partners.

Cole said those relationships will allow care to go beyond the jail.

“By having so many community partners with us inside the facility, we’re able to facilitate that warm hand-off in order for them to continue services once they reenter the community,” Cole said.

The expansion cost around half a million dollars.

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