The Diversion of Mentally Ill Persons from Jails to Community-based Services: a Profile of Programs

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 1995 Dec 1

PMID 7503336

Citations 18

Authors

H J Steadman

S M Morris

D L Dennis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: A major proposal for appropriately treating persons with mental illnesses who have been arrested is to divert them from jail to community-based mental health programs. However, there are few available definitions, guidelines, and principles for developing effective diversion programs. The goal of this research was to determine the number and kinds of jail diversion programs that exist, how they are set up, and which types of programs are effective.

Methods: On the basis of information gathered during a national mail survey (n = 1263) and follow-up telephone survey of 115 responding jails, 18 sites were selected for on-site interviews based on perceived effectiveness and presence of a formal diversion program.

Results: Data are presented from a national sample of jail diversion programs (n = 18). Key factors for developing diversion programs and descriptors of effective programs are presented.

Conclusions: It is clear that controlled, longitudinal studies of these programs' effectiveness, using client-based and organizational outcome measures, are badly needed.

Citing Articles

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program: Connecting Justice-Involved Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

Finlay A, Smelson D, Sawh L, McGuire J, Rosenthal J, Blue-Howells J Crim Justice Policy Rev. 2020; 27(2).

PMID: 32180665 PMC: 7073452. DOI: 10.1177/0887403414562601.

Court diversion for those with psychosis and its impact on re-offending rates: results from a longitudinal data-linkage study.

Albalawi O, Chowdhury N, Wand H, Allnutt S, Greenberg D, Adily A BJPsych Open. 2019; 5(1):e9.

PMID: 30762501 PMC: 6343116. DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2018.71.

Evaluating Alternative Aftercare Models for Ex-Offenders.

Jason L, Olson B, Harvey R J Drug Issues. 2015; 45(1):53-68.

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Reducing recidivism and symptoms in emerging adults with serious mental health conditions and justice system involvement.

Davis M, Sheidow A, McCart M J Behav Health Serv Res. 2014; 42(2):172-90.

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Engagement processes in model programs for community reentry from prison for people with serious mental illness.

Angell B, Matthews E, Barrenger S, Watson A, Draine J Int J Law Psychiatry. 2014; 37(5):490-500.

PMID: 24650496 PMC: 4209157. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2014.02.022.

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