Best Practices for Treating Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders | Part V: Law Enforcement and Jail Settings

This literature review is the final piece of a five part series that synthesizes the most current findings from peer-reviewed health journals and other literature relevant to treating mental health and substance use disorders. This section summarizes best practices for treating mental health and substance use disorders within law enforcement and jail settings, followed by a summary of considerations specific to the setting and/or populations served within the setting. For more information or to read the entire literature review, please click here.

Best Practices for Treating Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Law Enforcement and Jail Settings

Individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and medical health issues are overrepresented in jails and prisons (Fazel, Bains, & Doll, 2006; Steadman et al., 2009; Baillargeon et al., 2009), up to four times the rate as in non-incarcerated populations (Prins & Draper, 2009; Torrey et al., 2010; Fazel & Seewald, 2012). Individuals interacting with law enforcement and/or in jail settings while experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders are at the height of vulnerability (Birmingham, 2003). As a result, the criminal justice setting is tasked with both the protection of society and an opportunity for screening, treating, and connecting individuals to community services upon reentry (National Research Council, 2014). In general, diversion into treatment and other services and away from the criminal justice system is recommended for people experiencing behavioral health disorders (Naples & Steadman, 2003; McNiel, Binder, & Robinson, 2005; Warner & Kramer, 2009). Behavioral health diversion (hereafter referred to as diversion) is different from adult, or juvenile diversion programs, which are a form of criminal offender sentencing that offers participation in a rehabilitation program in lieu of conviction or other legal consequences.

To continue reading, click here