Fairfax Sheriff Stacey Kincaid makes mental health a priority
(2-3-22) Last October, I posted a blog from a desperate Fairfax County (Va.) mother under the title: Off Medication: “I Fear He will Kill Me!” Mother Says About Jailed Son. This week, she sent me a note. I was delighted to read it, but not surprised. Sheriff Stacy Kincaid and her fellow Fairfax officials have made helping individuals with serious mental illnesses a priority. Bravo!
While there are always improvements that can and should be made, Fairfax County has come a long, long way from where it was 16 years ago. Back then, there was little interest in Crisis Intervention Team training for law enforcement and when I asked to meet with the county’s chief judge to discuss creating a mental health docket, he refused to speak with me.
Don’t give up hope if you live in a community where there is little interest in CIT, jail diversion, and mental health dockets. Just keep fighting.
Dear Mr. Earley,
I wanted to share an email with you. I sent it to Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid regarding all of the good people who are trying to help my son. I’m aware that he’s lucky to be in the particular jail that he’s in and I want to give credit where credit is due.
Dear Sheriff Kincaid,
I have previously emailed my concerns about my son who has serious mental illness and is an inmate in your jail. I want to take a moment to say thank you to all the people who are trying to help him.
The behavioral health staff in the jail is just phenomenal: I talk to Laura McCollough every week and she updates me on how my son is doing. She’s always very kind and patient. Caitlyn Chapman, who answers the phone is very helpful, and Cecilia Chrosny (the supervisor) is wonderful and helpful too.
Casey Lingan on your staff has been receptive, responsive and most kind.
The defense attorney, Christine Carter, has attempted twice to have him evaluated for competency because she believes it’s in his best interest and the right thing to do, and I appreciate that.
Michelle Cowherd has tried to work with him so that he can hopefully participate in the mental health docket. The prosecutor, Randy Fultz is interested in both safety and getting my son the help that he needs.
So I really want to say how much I appreciate all the efforts of everyone trying to help my son, including the deputies who get him to take a shower.
If my son had to end up in jail I’m glad he ended up in yours. There are many unknowns right now, but I do know that a lot of good people are trying their best to help him.
So thank you to all of these good people.
(Mother’s name withheld at her request for privacy reasons regarding her son.)
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