Page 55 - 2021_American Jails NovDec

Organizations quickly recognized

that even though the mentally ill

offender was brought to the jail, the

problem did not stop there.

most mentally ill offenders present vided in law enforcement and the offender to Common Ground
a mild or medium challenge to the corrections basic academies and (community mental health agency)
officers, the severely “out of con- in-service training. Most crisis for evaluation. Mental health pro-
trol” mentally ill offender presents intervention responses in the past fessionals make the determination
a bigger challenge for the officer. involved individuals with moder- if the individual should be released
Many officers have been injured ate to severe conditions. However, to family, referred to other mental
when attempting to control these many incidents on the streets and health resources, or hospitalized.
individuals (Davidson, 2016). the jail also occurred with those Even if the offender is booked
Organizations quickly recog- suffering from mild mental illness, into the jail, a mental health case
nized that even though the mentally low mental function, and disabilities. worker is assigned to the indi-
ill offender was brought to the jail, Many law enforcement departments, vidual. The Jail Alliance With
the problem did not stop there. such as the Des Moines, Iowa Police Support (JAWS), a post-booking
In 2005, the National Alliance on Department, provide CIT training in diversion program, works with the
Mental Illness-Maine sponsored a the basic academy to all new officers individual and the mental health
CIT program in 15 Maine county (Reuland, et al, 2009; Uetz, 2017). court to provide adequate resources
jails. Selected officers were provided Larger jail facilities have full-time upon release from jail. They have an
with CIT training to use during medical and mental health staff on estimated 30% to 40% success rate
incidents, which has resulted in duty 24/7 who can respond to men- (Esshaki, 2015).
fewer use-of-force incidents. This tal health incidents. Jail facilities,
approach has been expanded to such as Denver County (Colorado), Mental Health Courts
many county jails in the United Maricopa County (Arizona), Mental Health Courts were estab-
States (University of New England Jacksonville (Florida) City/County lished to better deal with offenders
Center for Health Policy, 2007). Jail, the Wisconsin DOC, and jail who were in jail for minor offenses
In King County, Washington, basic academies in most states (primarily to get the offenders with
selected officers are provided 40 provide mental health training in special needs off the streets and into
hours of extensive training on how both the basic academy and during a safe environment). Studies have
to manage these offenders. When in-service training to assist offi- shown the recidivism rate for mental
these trained officers can respond cers when managing inmates with health offenders has gone down
to a situation, they can help to mild and moderate mental health considerably (Greville, 2016). A more
diffuse the situation and reduce issues in the housing units. Officers coordinated approach involving law
use-of-force incidents. King County, assigned to mental health units are enforcement, corrections, probation,
Washington and other departments provided more intensive training. courts, and community programs
also provide CIT training to law has resulted in fewer days in jail,
enforcement, corrections, paramed- Diversion Programs more treatment options, and a higher
ics, and other first responders (King Oakland County, Michigan standard of living for the offender
County, 2019). provides its law enforcement, cor- (Scott, et al, 2005; Greville, 2016).
rections, and courts with options
Crisis Intervention and Mental to better address the offender with Probation Officers
Health Training: Basic Academy special needs (Esshaki, 2015). If The rate of mental illness in jails
Crisis Intervention and Mental the offender commits a nonviolent and prison is three to five times
Health curricula are being pro- misdemeanor, the officer can take higher than the general popula-

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