Deranged County Prisoners Slated For Mercywood

Deranged County Prisoners slated For Mercywood
Violent mental patients who previously have been housed temporarily in the County Jail will be taken to Mercywood Sanitarium at 4038 Jackson Rd. soon, it was learned today.
County officials met recently with doctors and directors, of the hospital to discuss the problem of the placing of deranged persons.
Sanitarium leaders agreed to accept violent patients as soon as necessary work can be completed at the institution. It is estimated a 30-day period will be required to finish the needed work at the hospital in order to provide additional space for the patients.
The Board of Supervisors will be consulted concerning payment by the county to the hospital for patients taken in, it was learned.
Sheriff Erwin L. Klager has pointed out for some time that the County Jail has no facilities for the restraint or protection of mental patients sent there.
Representing the county at the meeting were. Sheriff Klager, Assistant Prosecutor William F. Ager, jr., Probate Judge John W. Conlin and Dr. Otto K. Engelke, county health director.