Legislators approved plans for a 200-bed, $237 million psychiatric hospital in Dallas County, Texas, but some area officials don't think it's enough to properly serve the area, Fox 4 News reported July 19.
The facility, expected to open in 2025, will provide 60-day stays to patients from six Dallas-area counties.
According to Fox 4 News, nearly 400 people in Dallas County jail were deemed mentally unfit to stand trial and are awaiting psychiatric care.
"Of these 200 beds, only about 28 of them are forensic … [but] that doesn't provide any relief," John Wiley Price, Dallas County commissioner, told Fox 4 News.
State Rep. Toni Rose, who worked at Dallas County jail for nine years as a mental health liaison, feels more forensic patient beds are needed to adequately treat patients from the jail, but called the project "a win for Dallas County."
"I’m very proud to lead the effort on this," Ms. Rose told the news outlet.