Healthcare in the prison system has a long way to go to be called humane. Like the rest of the country, Texas is amid a mental-health crisis that has far more mentally ill Texans behind bars than in hospitals or clinics. Yet prisons across the Country are making strides toward improving healthcare services. The Harris County Jail, for example, is home to the largest mental hospital in Texas. A national debate on the problem of the incarcerated mentally ill is needed. The risk that our mental health care infrastructure will remain inadequate for meeting their need for services is real. This session will explore the origin and impact of recent healthcare improvements on the incarcerated population and how we can advocate together.