Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday called on state lawmakers to do more to provide mental and behavioral health care for individuals who pose a risk to the public. Stein made a similar plea a day ago during a press conference after a Council of State meeting.
Stein said the “horrific” murder of Zoe Welsh, a long-time science teacher at the private Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, underscores the importance of support for formerly incarcerated people.
“My heart goes out to the family, the students for the traumatic loss they have suffered,” Stein said. “The courts, of course, need to do their job to get as much justice as possible for Ms. Welsh, her family, as is possible.”
Welsh was killed Saturday in her home by an intruder. Police have arrested Ryan Camacho, 36, in connection with Welsh’s death. Camacho has a history of schizophrenia and an extensive criminal record, local media reported, and court records show he’s been found incompetent to stand trial at least twice.
The state must make substantial investments in its mental and behavioral health systems, Stein said.
“This includes more behavioral health, urgent care centers and better outpatient treatment and involuntary commitment options when other interventions are unsuccessful,” Stein said.
U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, R-NC8, criticized the Democratic governor’s remarks on social media, intimating that Stein doesn’t think the alleged perpetrator belongs in jail.
“Get this … Governor Stein believes that jail is not the place for a 20 TIME REPEAT CRIMINAL and alleged MURDERER!,” Harris posted on X.
The governor’s remarks Wednesday were made during a NC Joint Reentry Council meeting. The council was launched by former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to coordinate state agencies to improve support and services for people returning from prison.
Stein noted that 90% of the people who are incarcerated in state prisons will eventually get out.
“Approximately 18,000 people will leave incarceration this year alone,” Stein said. “Equipping folks with the tools that they need to succeed with their second chance, of course, it’s great for them, it’s great for their families. But it also helps all of us. Everyone benefits when every person meets his or her fullest potential.”
Stein said people leaving prison face tough choices, and state policymakers do, too.
“I believe we must do what we can do to reduce the barriers to successful reentry,” Stein said. “We must choose to support people when they reenter society so that they have the best possible chance at rebuilding their lives.”
The council’s Reentry 2030 initiative lays out several broad goals:
Improve economic mobility for previously incarcerated people. Expand access to education, employment, health care and behavioral health services. Ensure Medicaid coverage upon release. Reduce the number of people returning to homelessness. Remove barriers to successful community reintegration.Hence then, the article about gov stein calls for improved mental health care in the wake of raleigh teacher s murder was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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