It’s become clear that our governor can’t recognize a good settlement offer if it bites him in the behind.Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and lawyers representing indigent people who are mentally ill announced the two sides had reached a landmark settlement agreement that — if implemented properly — has a chance to reform how we care for incarcerated defendants who aren’t deemed competent to stand trial.The settlement agreement requires the state mental health department to reduce waiting times for people to receive mental health treatment so they can assist in their own defense. It calls for the state to increase the number of beds dedicated for those services. It requires staffing numbers to increase and better training for those employees.In addition, the state must implement a screening program to fast-track evaluation and placement of defendants in treatment settings, and it will force court-ordered competency evaluations to occur in a timely manner.If the state doesn’t comply, it will be hit with financial penalties.The settlement still needs the blessing of the federal court and our Legislature, but it seems like a step in the right direction.Our state officials have been fine with allowing those vulnerable individuals to languish for months upon end in our county jails that are not equipped — and should not be required — to care for such complex mental health needs.It’s a scary thought that some of these defendants might not be guilty of the crimes that they’re accused of, yet we continue to hold them indefinitely because the Republicans who run the state haven’t had the political will to adequately fund the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ competency restoration program at the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita.Most of the people facing significant delays in receiving treatment to determine they’re competent are the poorest among us.Can you believe that incarcerating Oklahomans for months on end without giving them their right to a speedy trial or to the ability to assist in their defense is a constitutional violation and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act?Yeah. Most Oklahomans get it. Two people that don’t seem to grasp the gravity are Gov. Kevin Stitt and his commissioner of mental health, Allie Friesen.About two hours after Drummond, who is representing the interests of the Oklahoma taxpayers, announced the settlement agreement, the governor and commissioner put out their own joint press release, arguing it’s not in the best interest ...
