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Boundary Spanners: A Key Component for the Effective Interactions of the Justice and Mental Health Systems

NCJ Number
134594
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1992) Pages: 75-87
Author(s)
H J Steadman
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
An attempt is made to demonstrate with the concept of boundary spanners that a systems perspective can greatly facilitate the identification and solution of key justice-mental health interaction issues.
Abstract
Boundary spanning positions, positions that link two or more systems whose goals and expectations conflict at least in part, are illustrated with examples from a jail diversion program in Multnomah County Jail (Portland, Oregon), a community forensic program in Palm Beach County (Florida), and the Oregon Psychiatric Review Board which monitors persons acquitted by reason of insanity. Researchers need to examine the different ways in which boundary spanners operate and the ways that various characteristics of their positions and their incumbents may be associated with more effective justice-mental health interactions. 46 references (Author abstract modified)