
Emma Shakeshaft
Host: American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin
Sponsor: Kohler Foundation Inc., Quarles & Brady LLP
Across Texas, people with mental illness are routinely institutionalized, isolated, and denied basic care. Staggering numbers of Texans in the criminal justice system suffer from mental illness. In 2013, more than 30% of people in state prisons and county jails suffered from some form of mental disability compared with less than 20% of the non-detained population. State officials habitually ignore the needs of mentally ill persons, disproportionately landing them in the criminal justice system—or, worse, the morgue. The Texas criminal justice system is the largest provider of mental health care services in the state, and the Harris County Jail tops the list. The criminal justice system, however, is currently unequipped to properly care for people with mental illness. Texans with mental illness are more likely to be victims of abuse, sexual assault, discrimination, or even death. Their injuries and deaths are preventable through reasonable mental healthcare accommodations.
In the past two years, Hannah has:
Now that the Fellowship is complete, Hannah plans to:
Host: American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin
Sponsor: Kohler Foundation Inc., Quarles & Brady LLP
Host: American Civil Liberties Union Racial Justice Program
Sponsor: Ropes & Gray LLP
Host: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Sponsor: Cox Enterprises, Eversheds Sutherland
Host: Beacon Law
Sponsor: Texas Access to Justice Foundation