A chaotic scene unfolded outside a local drug treatment facility when a man under the influence and experiencing a mental health crisis caused enough concern that staff refused to let him inside the building.
Shortly before 7 a.m., medics requested police assistance with a man reportedly “not acting right” and believed to be under the influence of drugs. The man, whose behavior was erratic and unpredictable, was found in the parking lot of the facility.
Police eventually took the man into custody, discovering that he had an open warrant. However, when they attempted to book him into the Scioto County Jail, officials at the jail refused to accept him due to his obvious medical and mental health distress.
Instead, officers issued the man a citation and released him from custody—following legal protocol that prevents jails from accepting individuals who are medically unstable or in a psychiatric crisis. This policy, while sometimes frustrating to law enforcement, is in place to ensure detainees receive proper care before incarceration.
Later that day, around 3:30 p.m., the same individual, Jonathan Kozee, was booked into the Scioto County Jail on a felonious assault charge.
Why Jails Say No to Medical Crises
Jails are not hospitals—and they’re not equipped to handle serious medical emergencies or acute psychiatric episodes. Inmates must be medically cleared before being accepted, a policy designed to protect both the individual and the facility.
“This isn’t about letting people off the hook,” said expert. “It’s about making sure they’re stable enough to be held safely. If someone’s in medical or mental distress, the jail isn’t the first stop—they need treatment first.”
A System Under Pressure
Incidents like this highlight the strain placed on first responders, medical staff, and the justice system, especially in cases involving mental illness and substance abuse. With addiction treatment centers, emergency rooms, and jails all navigating their own limitations, officers are often left making difficult calls in the moment.
As the opioid crisis continues and mental health challenges rise, communities are learning that treatment and triage must sometimes come before the handcuffs.