NC Gov. Josh Stein hoping for bipartisan plan to address mental health for offenders

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – After signing a controversial tough-on-crime bill into law, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein says it does not go far enough in addressing mental health concerns for people accused of crimes.

Now, the governor wants to work across the aisle to create a bipartisan, comprehensive plan in the next few weeks to address those concerns.

Stein wants more training for people across the criminal justice system to assist those struggling with mental health challenges, and he wants them to get paid to do so.

“The state has over 900 critical care beds, but we’re only using about 550 of them, why is that?” Stein said during an event on Thursday. “Because we do not have enough staff to support the beds and the services that are required… 300 beds where we could be providing people care who desperately need it are sitting empty because we cannot hire and keep the staff. Let’s make these jobs much better paid and more attractive.”

The governor says it’s not only about helping people accused of crimes, but also about keeping everyday North Carolinians safe.

“95% of people in prison get out,” Stein said. “95% of people in our prisons will be out at some point. What do you want? Do you want them to be successful, productive, contributing members of society when they get out? Or do you want them to go back to a life of crime?”

Stein says the state General Assembly also needs to fund programs to address mental health.