FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2025

2026 Congressional Candidate Dr. Jenna Preston Highlights Mental Health Needs Inside Colorado Correctional Facilities

Arapahoe County, CO — As communities and lawmakers enter 2026 facing ongoing challenges related to public safety, mental health, and correctional capacity, 2026 congressional candidate Dr.Jenna Preston, a licensed clinical psychologist is drawing attention to the role jails now play in responding to mental health needs.

In December, Preston visited the Arapahoe County Detention Facility at the invitation of Sheriff Tyler Brown. The visit was prompted by Preston’s background in behavioral health and her prior experience providing therapy services to Metropolitan Police Department officers in Washington, D.C., as well as co-facilitating weekly group therapy inside a county jail in Northern Virginia.

“I have seen how law enforcement and correctional facilities are increasingly responding to mental health crises,” Preston said. “These facilities were not built to function as mental health hospitals.”

Nationally, an estimated 11 million individuals pass through jails each year, and research indicates that approximately 44 percent to 65 percent of incarcerated individuals have a mental health condition. This rate is significantly higher than that of the general population. Experts believe the number may be higher, as some individuals do not disclose or are not diagnosed with mental health conditions.

During her visit, Preston toured the facility with Sheriff Brown and observed efforts to expand medical and mental health services. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has used CARES Act funding to begin making structural improvements to its medical area to support both medical and mental health care. Officials have indicated that additional funding is needed to continue these upgrades and maintain services.

Preston also discussed challenges related to facility safety, including the risk of use of drones to deliver contraband, such as drugs and cell phones, into correctional facilities. Local law enforcement agencies face jurisdictional limitations that require coordination with federal authorities, which can restrict their ability to respond independently.

Sheriff Brown’s leadership philosophy emphasizes compassion and accountability, and he has outlined a long-term vision for the future of the Arapahoe County correctional system. Programs offered inside the jail, including further support for the  RISE (Restoring Individuals Safely and Effectively) program, which provides recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care and demonstrates how access to behavioral health services can support individuals during incarceration and re-entry.

“These programs show that accountability and access to care can exist at the same time,” Preston said.

Looking ahead to the 2026 election cycle, Preston said she supports federal funding for medical and mental health services, including services for incarcerated individuals. She also expressed support for law enforcement professionals, whom she views as frontline responders to mental health crises, while emphasizing accountability for individuals who have broken the law.

“As we move into a new year, these issues remain part of the national conversation,” Preston said. “Addressing mental health needs inside correctional facilities is part of supporting public safety and the people who work in these systems every day.”

Media Contact

Jenna Preston for Congress
Jenna Preston, Psy.D., LP, ATR-BC
Email: jennapreston4congress@gmail.com
Website: https://www.preston4congress.com