Increasing Collaboration Between Corrections & Mental Health Organizations: Orange County Case Study

The Orange County Corrections Department (OCCD) project sought develop joint strategies between stakeholders to develop programs to link corrections central receiving center (CRC) detainees identified with mental illnesses with treatment. In April 2004, the OCCD began the Mental Health Pretrial Release (MHPTR) funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to create a diversion to treatment program for individuals with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse who were charged with a misdemeanor. The eligible individuals were referred to a Program of Assertive Community Treatment that uses a team approach to provide services at the individuals location.

A two-tiered analysis of the MHPTR was conducted to evaluate the process and outcomes of the program. A key finding was that participation in the program was not linked with early release. The analysis revealed that 77% of detainees (1,101 individuals) referred to the MHPTR did not participate and that 36% did not participate because they had already been released from jail. On average, the 315 detainees that participated spent eight fewer days in jail for their precipitating arrest. About half (57%) of those who participated (170 of a total of 299 full program participants) successfully completed the program. Those who did not complete the program were returned to jail.