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Upcoming Documentary Praised By Local Leaders

A documentary by a local citizen and journalist is being applauded by local advocates of mental health.

The documentary, "Shortchanged: Unjailing the Mentally Ill" outlines the challenges law enforcement faces as it relates to individuals who battle mental health issues and are incarcerated. According to Lynn Scovill, Executive Director of the DeWitt County Human Resource Center, the documentary is the story of law enforcement coming together with those who help treat mental illnesses to get those inmates proper help.

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DeWitt County Sheriff Jered Shofner will be a part of the showing of the documentary in Clinton Tuesday evening at Clinton's First Christian Church. He says it gives an interesting perspective of the challenges corrections officials face when they have inmates that struggle with mental health.

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Edith Brady-Lunny is the co-producer of the documentary. She is a journalist and court reporter from Clinton. She says this problem is not exclusive to DeWitt County or Central Illinois. Her film focuses on the McLean County Jail but she says this is a national problem that must be addressed, and hopes her film will open up more dialogue about fixing it.

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The showing starts at 6:30 pm tomorrow night at the First Christian Church in Clinton. The event is free and open to the public. Shofner and Scovill will be a part of a panel after the showing to discus the documentary and specifically the challenges faced in DeWitt County.

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