NCJ Number
244447
Date Published
November 2013
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This report presents guidelines developed to aid in the successful transition of people with behavioral health disorders from jail to prison.
Abstract
This report by the Council of State Governments Justice Center presents guidelines developed to aid in the successful transition of people with behavioral health disorders from jail to prison. The guidelines were developed as part of the Behavioral Health Framework. This framework provides a structure for use in identifying "subgroups within the larger group of individual involved in the criminal justice system based on their identified health and criminogenic needs." The framework will be used to prioritize resources and allocate them to the most effective interventions for each subgroup. The guidelines presented in this report should be used to actualize the principles set forth in the Behavioral Health Framework. The 10 guidelines are as follows: guidelines 1 and 2 deal with assessing the individual's clinical and social needs and public safety risks; guidelines 3 and 4 deal with planning for the treatment and services required to address the individual's needs (while in custody and upon reentry); guidelines 5 and 6 deal with identifying required community and correctional programs responsible for post-release services; and guidelines 7 through 10 deal with coordinating the transition plan to ensure implementation and avoid gaps in care with community-based services. The discussion of each guideline includes the rationale behind the guideline as well as practice tips for both behavioral health and criminal justice professionals and joint practice tips. The ultimate goal of these guidelines is to ensure the successful collaboration between the behavioral health and criminal justice systems to improve outcomes for offenders with behavioral health disorders. Tables, appendixes, and endnotes