Factoring in Homelessness in Designing Jail Diversion Programs for Persons with Mental Illness
A 1992 national survey estimated that there were approximately 52 jail diversion programs for persons with mental illness. Currently, there are approximately 400 jail diversion programs across the U.S. This presentation will focus on the types of jail diversion programs that exist, the emerging types of programs, the political catalysts for this growth, how the issue of housing has been a primary impediment to the development of these programs, and how this issue continues to overwhelm many diversion programs. Particular attention will be on the role of homelessness in the rapid development of mental health courts and how this issue may compromise the cost savings sought with this type of diversion program.
Henry J. Steadman, PhD has been President of Policy Research Associates, Inc. since he founded it in 1987. Previously, Dr. Steadman ran a nationally known research bureau for 17 years for the New York State Office of Mental Health. His work has resulted in eight books, over 130 journal articles in a wide range of professional journals, 20 chapters, and numerous reports. Among Dr. Steadman's major current projects are: (1) the National GAINS Center for Evidence-Based Practices in the Justice System; (2) the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Mental Health Court Study; (3) National Institute of Justice Women's Brief Jail Mental Health Screen Study; (4) SAMHSA's Technical Assistance and Policy Analysis Center for Jail Diversion; and (5) NIMH Adult Mental Health-Criminal Justice Cross-Training Curriculum Development Project. Among the major awards Dr. Steadman has received are: Carl A. Taube Award for Outstanding Contributions in Mental Health Services Research. American Public Health Association, 2005; the Amicus Award from the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (1987); the Philippe Pinel Award from the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (1988); the Saleem A. Shah Award from the State Mental Health Forensic Directors (1994); the Distinguished Contribution to Forensic Psychology from the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (1998); and the Isaac Ray Award (1999) from the American Psychiatric Association for his outstanding contributions to the psychiatric aspects of jurisprudence.
