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Abstract

The United States justice system has a history of regarding substance use disorder as a rational behavior that requires punishment rather than a mental health condition that requires treatment [1]. Currently, it is estimated that up to 65% of incarcerated individuals have an active Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and an additional 20% were incarcerated for a crime involving drugs or drug use [2]. The implications are staggering for individuals and families. Federal and state carceral systems are unprepared to rehabilitate [3], recidivism rates remain high [4], and the cost of incarceration-which can be measured in many meaningful ways-has become difficult for the country to bear [5][6][7].Diversion programs, redirecting non-violent offenders away from incarceration towards more meaningful behavioral redirection, are attractive alternatives for drug offenders, offering a myriad of options. Both pre-arrest diversion (pre-diversion or deflection) programs and post-arrest diversion (post-diversion) programs exist. Pre-diversion programs are varied and often involve police intervention resulting in a drop-off at a shelter, behavioral healthcare center, or day centers with various amenities. Post-diversion programs include specialty courts: veterans courts, recovery courts, drug courts, wellness courts, mental health courts, among others, each with specific interests or population focus. Both pre-diversion and post-diversion programs aim explicitly to reduce the cost of the criminal justice system to individuals, families, and society, though achieving and assessing cost savings can be challenging [8].