Sheriff Noah Robinson Receives Justice Advocate Award for Mental Health Leadership

EVANSVILLE, IN — On May 13, 2026, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson was recognized by the Indiana Council on Mental Health with the organization’s Justice Advocate of the Year Award for his leadership and continued efforts to improve mental health services within the criminal justice system. Sheriff Robinson was surprised with the award during a recent progress and collaboration meeting involving the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, where officials gathered to discuss the continued success of mental health and reentry initiatives within the Vanderburgh County Jail. The award was presented by Zoe Frantz, President & CEO of the Indiana Council on Mental Health. During the presentation, Frantz highlighted Sheriff Robinson’s commitment to creating meaningful change through collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health professionals. “From the very beginning of his tenure as Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Sheriff Robinson brought forward a bold and compassionate vision centered on rehabilitation, not incarceration,” Frantz said. “He understood that many individuals entering the justice system were not simply criminals to be punished, but people struggling with mental illness, addiction, trauma, and unmet needs who deserved care, dignity, and a pathway toward recovery.” Frantz also recognized the Sheriff’s Office partnership with Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare in creating Indiana’s first Jail Based Competency Restoration Program, calling it a model for collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health providers. “His leadership reminds us that true public safety is built not only through enforcement, but through treatment, recovery, collaboration, and hope,” Frantz said. The award highlights the collaborative work between the Sheriff’s Office and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare to address mental health challenges among incarcerated individuals and reduce recidivism through treatment, support, and reentry planning. Over the past year, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare staff have worked directly inside the Vanderburgh County Jail, providing therapy, medication management, and support services to inmates in need of mental health assistance. Dr. Gregory Unfried, a psychiatrist with Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare in Evansville, was also recognized during the meeting for his work and dedication to the initiative. After 35 years of service at Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Dr. Unfried retired as a full-time psychiatrist in January 2026, but continues serving the community through part-time work with the Forensic Program. Officials recognized Dr. Unfried for his role as the founding physician of Indiana’s first Jail Based Competency Restoration Program, launched in 2020 through a partnership between Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Using his experience in forensic psychiatry and leadership roles within Indiana’s behavioral health system, Dr. Unfried helped develop a program focused on psychiatric evaluation, medication management, therapy, peer support, legal education, and case management for justice-involved individuals experiencing serious mental illness. In 2025, Dr. Unfried also helped expand services through the launch of the Forensic Team, providing continued mental health and substance abuse support, court collaboration, and post-release follow-up for individuals transitioning back into the community. Officials credited Dr. Unfried’s advocacy and leadership with helping create a more compassionate and effective approach to behavioral health care within the justice system, focused on treatment, recovery, and reducing recidivism. According to Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare officials, 147 inmates have been served through the program during its first year. Of those individuals, 78% have not re-offended, and 90% left custody with at least one referral for continued care or support services upon release. “Looking at the need within the jail, we’re constantly looking for different things as far as improvement and how we can make access available for all within the jail system as well as once they leave,” said Cedalia Ellis, Director of Community Support Services for Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare Forensic Program Manager Dannielle Shoenfeld said the partnership is already making a meaningful impact in the community. “We’ve been out here for a year. We’re merging two very different systems, and we’re seeing results, and it’s exciting,” Shoenfeld said. “The idea that we’re all coming together just to help people, and already seeing this impact in the community, is huge.” Sheriff Robinson said the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to improving outcomes for individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues, both inside the jail and after release. The Vanderburgh County Jail expansion project, currently under construction, was specifically designed with those needs in mind. The expansion includes a dedicated 10-bed mental health unit and a 32-bed substance abuse unit focused on treatment, recovery, and reducing repeat incarceration. “When you can lower your jail population, you’re not only reducing stress on the staff,” Sheriff Robinson said. “With less stress on staff, there’s less employee turnover, happier employees, better interactions with those in custody, and less stress on the inmates even more importantly.” Sheriff Robinson credited the success of the program to the strong partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, jail staff, and community organizations working together toward long-term solutions. The post Sheriff Noah Robinson and Dr. Gregory Unfried Recognized for Leadership in Mental Health Initiatives in Vanderburgh County Jail appeared first on Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office.