Community-Based Alternatives for Justice-Involved Individuals with Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

Community-based alternatives to conviction and imprisonment for adult offenders with severe mental illness are receiving increasing attention from researchers and policy makers. After discussing the justifications that have been offered in support of community-based alternatives, this article reviews the current empirical evidence relevant to such alternatives. The authors use the sequential intercept model as a guide and summarize the existing research at several points along the criminal justice continuum. They conclude by highlighting the gaps in existing research and discussing the need for further research in several key areas.

Countywide implementation of crisis intervention teams: Multiple methods, measures and sustained outcomes

“…Interviews with officers revealed that they frequently self-select into CIT training because of prior experience with someone who had mental illness (Cross et al, 2014;Wood & Watson, 2017) or they believed they would benefit from having the enhanced skills as a response to the demand for it in their jurisdiction. Similarly to other studies, officers report that the training gave them an increased sense of confidence when taking crisis calls (Borum et al, 1998;Canada, Angell, & Watson, 2012;Hanafi et al, 2008;Heilbrun et al, 2012).…”

“…Studies of the impact of CIT training on officers found that they report increased confidence in their approach with individuals who exhibit symptoms of mental illness (Borum, Deane, Steadman, & Morrissey, 1998;Hanafi, Bahora, Demir, & Compton, 2008;Heilbrun et al, 2012) and perceive themselves as more efficacious at serving this population (Borum et al, 1998). Additionally, CIT-trained officers show significant increases in their knowledge of symptoms of mental illness and exhibit a change in attitude toward this population (Compton, Esterberg, McGee, Kotwicki, & Oliva, 2006;Hanafi et al, 2008;Wells & Shafer, 2006).…”

Everyday police work during mental health encounters: A study of call resolutions in Chicago and their implications for diversion

“…Additionally, there is wide acknowledgement of the overrepresentation of persons with mental illnesses in jails and prisons, and the need to divert them from the criminal justice system at the earliest point possible, ideally at the initial point of contact with the police (Heilbrun, et al 2012; Munetz & Griffin, 2006). …”

Collaborating for consensus: Considerations for convening Coalition stakeholders to promote a gender-based approach to addressing the health needs of sex workers

“…The SIM was selected as the overarching model based on the literature supporting its successful use in similar programs (Heilbrun, DeMatteo, Yasuhara, Brooks-Holliday, Shah, King, et al, 2012;Kelsey, 2004;NIMH SBIR, 2005;OMHSAS, 2002). Delaware had also used the SIM previously in the design of their mental health court (DE Supreme Court, 2010).…”