Key facts
- Eskenazi Health's police force has made over 800 arrests between 2020 and 2025, primarily for non-violent offenses.
- Adilah Patton, a patient with schizophrenia, was arrested for trespassing after seeking refuge at the hospital.
- Experts suggest that individuals with mental health issues are often criminalized rather than treated.
- Eskenazi Health does not track the outcomes of arrests made by its police force.
- The hospital has a crisis response team and trains officers in de-escalation and mental health response.
Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis's public hospital, faces scrutiny over its police force's arrest practices, particularly concerning vulnerable individuals with mental health issues. Adilah Patton, a 21-year-old diagnosed with schizophrenia, was arrested for trespassing in 2018 after seeking refuge at the hospital, a situation her mother described as a failure of care.
Analysis of hospital records from 2020 to 2025 reveals that Eskenazi's police force made over 800 arrests, with a majority for non-violent offenses such as disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. This practice has led to concerns about a 'hospital to jail' pipeline, where individuals exhibiting symptoms of mental illness are criminalized instead of receiving necessary treatment.
Experts, including Dr. Ruth Shim, a professor at UC Davis, highlight that police may interpret behaviors related to mental illness as illegal, leading to incarceration rather than care. Eskenazi Health leadership stated that arrests are a last resort and that officers receive training in de-escalation and mental health response. The hospital also utilizes a crisis response team for patients exhibiting signs of anxiety, aggression, or psychosis.
However, the Marion County sheriff believes arrests are still occurring too frequently. Adding to the concerns, Eskenazi Health does not track the outcomes of arrests made by its police force, raising questions about the appropriateness of such responses. The situation reflects broader national challenges related to access to mental health treatment and the role of law enforcement in responding to individuals in crisis.