Human rights lobby group, Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) is suggesting that the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston be used to house and care for inmates who are mentally ill.

For several years, SUFJ has been advocating for the release of mentally ill inmates, arguing that many of them have been incarcerated for decades, without trial or sentencing.

Many of these inmates are reportedly in prison for minor offences and are believed to be unfit to plead.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Executive Director, Carla Gullotta, says while the lobby group has been successful in aiding the freedom of several mentally ill inmates, hundreds more are lost in the system.

She says it will take legislative reforms for effective mental health support to be implemented.

She says Jamaica should use existing infrastructure to care for mentally ill inmates, especially those who have no families or resources.