Supporting Shakalia

On June 17th my sister was wrongfully arrested during a mental health crisis. She has been held in the county jail, at times in isolation, for a month and a half.  

Shakalia did not commit a violent crime. She is waiting on a mental health ruling and then bail can potentially be set at $20,000. Shakalia is being held in jail because the system doesn't have enough mental health facilities to care for people who are in crisis. She fled from police but was taken into custody without resisting.

The officers were aware she was in crisis and took her to jail instead of the hospital. Our family was told that most people are released the next day with the same charge. They will not allow bail because she has been deemed a "public safety risk".

As we know, this system doesn’t care what happens to people who need mental health care. This is counterproductive to Shakalia's well- being. We will need to come up with $2000 if bail is set at $20,000. Once Shakalia is released she will need assistance with safe housing, food, and money for medication, therapy & day to day expenses and bills. 

Shakalia is a caring, thoughtful, family oriented, artistic woman who deserves to be treated with care and compassion. Her release is out of our hands at the moment, but we need to do what we can while wewait. Please give what you can. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will be helpful! Thank you so much!