Critics argue that a national shortage of psychiatric beds could portend more violence . A 90-day audit by the Virginia 's inspector general in 2012 termed the practice of releasing the mentally ill because of bed shortages `` streeting . '' Number of state psychiatric beds decreased by 14 % between 2000 and 2010 . Virginia has 17.6 state beds per 1000 people , which is higher than average . At least three Virginia hospitals had psychiatric beds one day before state prisoners stabbed .
Critics argue that a national shortage of psychiatric beds could portend more violence . Number of state psychiatric beds decreased by 14 % between 2000 and 2010 . Virginia has 17.6 state beds per 1000 people , which is higher than average . At least three Virginia hospitals had psychiatric beds one day before state prisoners stabbed .