The default solution?

Who do you call when there’s a crisis you can’t handle on your own?

It’s what “we” *Police *Corrections *Courts do at the intercept point that can make things worse or better

 Incarceration does not improve one’s mental health.  Multiple incarcerations do increase likelihood of reoffending.  Substance abuse and mental health are usually intertwined.  Treating substance abuse and mental health issues in jail or prison is expensive.

 20% of offenders use 80% of available resources  If the needs of the chronic, low-level offender are addressed, more resources are available for others  Permanent solutions have to be sought for some individuals  Locally, individual with chronic, severe mental illness have an average of 17 misdemeanor and 5 felony arrest before involuntary commitment to the state hospital (2005)

 Crisis intervention training  On-going in-service training  Arrest only as final option  Potential diversions  Baker Act  Family/friends  Detox

 Notice to appear diversion at booking  Diversion at first appearance – ex parte orders

 Commensurate with community availability  Continuum of treatment and housing  Goal is least restrictive housing and maintenance of mental health  Substance abuse education and treatment availability  Forensic state hospital commitments

 1:1 – actively at acute risk  Continuous Observation – direct supervision style housing with documented 15-minute checks  Both levels require removal of items persons could use for self-harm

 Mental health confinement  Open mental health housing  Open population

 Approximately $800 for every intake/booking  Average $60 a day housing  Persons with mental illness have higher:  Rates of misconduct  Rates of accidental injury  Incidences of assault (victim and/or aggressor)  Rates of recidivism  Costs of medical and pharmaceutical treatments  Levels of supervision required

RareFairBeneficial

Director Tara Wildes