NCJ Number
115901
Date Published
1984
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This document provides descriptive case studies of seven innovative programs aimed at improving mental health services for the mentally ill through collaboration between the criminal justice and mental health systems.
Abstract
Information for each program describes its design and implementation, operations, and costs and staffing. A police crisis intervention training program in Charleston, S.C. helps officers better respond to calls from people in domestic, suicidal, or other psychological crisis. The Galveston County Mental Health Deputy Program (Tex.) employs a specialized team to deal with emergency situations involving the mentally ill and emotionally disturbed. Collaboration between the Madison Police Department (Wis.) and a comprehensive community mental health program has led to an emphasis on human services as a priority of police activity. The Monroe Country Mental Health Clinic for Sociolegal Services, N.Y., provides judges and courts with evaluations of defendants' competency to stand trial, social risk and dangerousness, and treatment needs; provides dispositional planning; and provides direct care to those under court jurisdiction. Montgomery Mental Health/Mental Retardation Emergency Services, Inc. in Pennsylvania provides immediate, short-term inpatient care for those with psychiatric and drug/alcohol emergencies. In Multinomah County, Wash., a counselor has been trained to identify and process the mentally ill during the jail booking process. Finally, the Los Angeles Country, Calif., a mobile intervention program provides emergency services at night and during weekends and holidays.