Butch Scipper News Today

We’ve been reporting on the state’s civil commitment process in partnership with Mississippi Today. These are the most important findings.

It is very uncommon for people going through that process to be held in jail without criminal charges for days or weeks – except in Mississippi.

Local officials often say they have no choice but to jail people awaiting treatment for mental illness and substance abuse — even if they’re not charged with a crime. But some people have died in the system that's supposed to protect them.