BENTON — Franklin County is preparing to launch a jail-based mental health treatment program that local officials say could ease pressure on rural jails and provide critical care for detainees who often wait months for state psychiatric services.

The county plans to designate 10 to 12 beds inside the Franklin County Jail for individuals awaiting transfer to state forensic facilities. The program is part of a partnership between the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, the Illinois Department of Human Services and Centerstone, which will provide mental health services on-site.

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