A letter signed by 59 Kansas sheriffs is calling for changes in leadership and practices at Larned State Hospital. The letter states that the practices are creating a danger to the public and doing a disservice to those who are mentally ill.
The letter was written by Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir and signed by 58 other sheriffs, including Jeff Easter of Sedgwick County, Monty Hughey of Butler County, Reno County Sheriff Darrin Campbell, Kingman County Sheriff Randy Hill and Cowley County Sheriff Dave Falletti.
The letter raises concern over the recent escape of convicted sex offender John Colt, and it also expresses dissatisfaction that the hospital has refused patients whom the sheriffs have found to be in need of immediate care.
The Secretary for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Laura Howard, responded to the letter by saying that a number of initiatives are underway to deal with the issues. She said the agency is working with community hospitals to provide psychiatric services closer to the patients’ homes, and she said the agency is also dealing with staff shortages at Larned.
