St. Croix correctional facility opens 20-bed mental-health unit

The V.I. Bureau of Corrections unveiled a 20-bed modular mental-health unit Thursday at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix.

The new space includes an adjoining programming suite for group therapy and workshops on anger management, domestic violence and substance use. Corrections Director Wynnie Testamark said the unit is intended for patients whose conditions are stable, not people who require acute inpatient treatment.

Testamark told the Source that about 40% of people incarcerated in territorial facilities require some form of mental-health treatment. She said mainland placements can cost the territory about $1,500 per person per day at one Florida provider, while separate Health Department testimony put the annual cost of 56 off-island placements across 10 facilities at approximately $11.8 million.

Opening the unit does not mean every incarcerated patient can return from an off-island facility. Staffing, clinical eligibility and the level of care each person needs will determine who can be treated safely at John A. Bell.