This study presents results from an ongoing performance monitor of a Jail Diversion Program for people with serious mental illness [SMI]. The monitoring program uses standardized assessment forms, police and criminal justice records, inmate/client medical records, and community mental health center service and billing records to (1) identify persons who are booked into a county jail who have mental illness,(2) determine whether Jail Diversion clients are linked to community mental health services and how they are linked [e.g, emergency vs. non-emergency service], and (3) determine the rate at which clients referred to the program are re-arrested.
Results will present annual performance scores that describe: (1) program activity [N=289 participants], (2) current mental health status of people referred to the program [42% had SMI], (3) status in the criminal justice system when referred [e.g. in jail, bonded, completed sentence, or pre-trial release; days in jail prior to program referral, current offenses, etc], (4) prior arrests [e.g., 45% of SMI arrested two or more times during past year], (5) program interventions, (6) demographic characteristics of people referred, (7) treatment linkage outcomes [e.g. % referrals successfully linked to treatment, types and hours of treatment received, etc.] and (8) criminal justice outcomes [e.g. 28% of referrals with SMI were rearrested within eight months of release from jail].
Recommendations for program improvement and suggestions for improving interface between justice system and mental health system will also be presented.
Keywords: Mental Health, Criminal Justice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.