Nearly 100 offenders awaiting mental health tests in Pueblo

Attorneys with Disability Law Colorado say there are nearly 100 offenders awaiting an evaluation at Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.

Attorneys say the state agreed to terms and measures to clear up the backlog, but it still remains.

The list includes Robert Dear, the admitted Planned Parenthood shooter, who is in jail awaiting a court ordered mental competency evaluation. Prosecutors say it may be six to nine months away. A judge could ask the state to expedite Dear’s evaluation.

KRDO spoke with a retired Department of Corrections officer who worked in the prison system and believes the problem comes down to staffing and funding.

“You have to hire a couple of more psychiatrists and more psychiatrists would cost more money. It’s nearly a half million dollars a year. Is the state willing to put out that money? Probably not,” said Larry Nutter, licensed professional counselor.