CBS News Miami documentary "Warehoused" pushes Florida Senate to introduce criminal justice reform bill
There has been a major development in the aftermath of the CBS News Miami documentary "Warehoused: The Life and Death of Tristin Murphy."
"Warehoused" highlights the failures of the state to treat mental illness in the criminal justice system. Tristin Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia, attempted suicide in prison, and his story led to numerous discussions about how Florida handles prisoners who have mental health issues after the CBS News Miami documentary brought it to the forefront.
Murphy's mother Cindy has been advocating for changes to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
As a result, State Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R- 6th District) introduced Senate Bill 168 — the "Tristin Murphy Act" — to provide treatment instead of prison for mentally ill individuals. "Facing South Florida" spoke with Bradley about the details of the bill and what she is hoping to accomplish with this legislation.
The bill aims to offer diversion plans, better training and community resources, similar to Judge Steve Liefman's successful program in Miami.
It will create a model diversion plan for misdemeanors and felonies, linking mental health treatment to probation and ensuring follow-through. The bill also addresses the shortage of forensic beds and provides grant money for training without requiring a match from fiscally constrained counties. Cindy Murphy has also been a key advocate for the bill.
The first hearing for the Tristin Murphy Act bill is scheduled for next week.
Tristin Murphy's case
On Sept. 16, 2021, 37-year-old Tristin Murphy, who had been arrested and sent to prison on a littering charge, killed himself with a chainsaw at a state prison just west of Miami.
Murphy had attempted suicide in the past and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoia and delusions.
Prison officials had failed to provide him the required treatment, and his medical records reveal he was off his medication for nearly a week.
Following his death, CBS News Miami launched a two-year investigation into the events that led to that fateful day.
The investigation revealed how police, prosecutors, judges, jailers, and prison officials moved Tristin through the criminal justice system without ever truly addressing his underlying mental problems. And CBS News Miami discovered Murphy's case is not unique as jails and prisons are being overwhelmed with an ever-growing mentally ill population.
"Warehoused" is also the story of Murphy's parents, who began pushing for answers as to why their son died.
The documentary offers a rare, in-depth look into what happened. CBS News Miami obtained medical records, courtroom audio and files, body camera video, investigative files and internal emails that paint a horrifying picture of Tristin's final years.
