Most states don't have institutions that hold the mentally ill anymore. They have a few hospitals for the insane but due to lack of bed space many are released early and most have no where to go. They are people that should be watched 24 hours a day, but they are put out on the street to make room for others sent in by the courts.
Most larger jails have a psych unit where they house these people, but even that's only temporary.
When I die I'm sure to go to heaven, cause I spent my time in hell.
You get more with a kind word and a two by four, than you do with just a kind word.