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Jail Transition Program

Jail Transition Program. Harri-Ann Ellis April 28 th , 2011 Meth and More Conference. Mental Health Issues in Jail .

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Jail Transition Program

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  1. Jail Transition Program Harri-Ann Ellis April 28th, 2011 Meth and More Conference

  2. Mental Health Issues in Jail Mental Health Disorders: More and more the jail is becoming the ‘Asylum of Last Resort.’ With mental health hospitals closing wings, and reducing population, the majority of these individuals are relegated to living on the streets. Mentally ill and out of medication, they begin to ‘self medicate.’ Eventually they will come into contact with the police. Addictions: Often individuals with an addiction have a co-occurring untreated mental health issue. The addiction systems from ‘self-medicating’ to escape the symptomology of their illness. Our Approach: To identify individuals with co-occurring disorders and provide these individuals with additional services and case management to address the barriers they face when re-entering the community.

  3. Eligibility for the Jail Transition Program Inmate has to be eligible for work release and/or electronic home monitoring Inmate has to have a mental health diagnosis. Inmate must be currently taking psychotropic medications. If inmate is in treatment (CDP or DVOP) they must be in full compliance with their program to remain eligible for Jail Transition and work release status. Must maintain (minimum part time) employment. If not eligible for employment, must be willing to participate in volunteer employment at a local not-for-profit organization.

  4. What is the Jail Transition Program Assertive Case Management Components Foremost concerns: Housing, Transportation, Food Stamps, and GED Medication acquisition and mental health treatment Valid Identification, Social Security Card, and info on reinstating driving privileges if eligible. Initiating Public benefits if eligible Secondary Concerns: Connecting with community resources Working with Work Source to assist with employment search Liaison with treatment provider, DSHS, probations, and other involved entities to provide a continuum of care for the offender. Identify and address any life domain concern that could be a barrier for successful re-entry into the community, such as dental, vision, and hearing.

  5. Demographics and Variables • Age • Gender • Education • Diagnosis • Medication Compliance • Treatment status • Homelessness status • Employment status • Health/well being • Substance Abuse • Dependent vs. Abuse

  6. Goals of the Jail Transition Program • To impact recidivism by identifying and addressing behaviors and barriers that continue to bring the person into contact with the criminal justice system. This is accomplished with an incremental re-integration approach back into the community, with supports in place for long term success • The long term goal of the program is that assertive case management will reduce arrest rates, jail days, ER visits for psychiatric reason, and impacts the degree of new crimes committed by mentally ill offenders that have participated in the Jail Transitions Program.

  7. Limitations and Benefits of the Jail Transition Program Limitations are: Limited resources, severe budget constraints to social service agencies. Agencies designed to serve low income/uninsured are over-taxed by the influx of the ‘new poor’ seeking services. Clients are ‘wait listed’ for 4 to 6 weeks standard. For an individual with acute and chronic mental health issues this equates to ‘decomp.’ Benefits are: Inmates have form a trusting relationship with correctional officers, staff, treatment providers, social workers, and mental health professionals within the jail, thus reaching out prior to committing new crimes. If they do re-enter the system, they are far less of a management issue. Provide link to resources that the inmate would not otherwise have access to, or be aware of. Slow integration allows the offender the opportunity to incrementally adapt to responsibility, lack of structure, and making their own decisions.

  8. Current Statistics to date • Program was initiated January 2010. • Served 40 inmates first year in operation. • Breakdown of number: • 26 completed and were released. • 12 were returned to general population • 2 currently remain in custody, completing their sentence *Current research is underway on program success rates to identify what services were most beneficial to the inmate for re-entry and recidivism rates 1 year post release. Additionally, looking to identify gaps that still need to be filled. • As of 4/28/2011 the Jail Transitions Program has served 20 inmates, this year, that have been identified as having a serious, and/or recurrent mental health issue coupled with addiction issues. To meet funding requirements, the Jail Transition Program must serve 50+ inmates this year.

  9. Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

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