Through research it was determined that individuals with mental illness commit the majority of repeat offenses. As a result, LCMHJDP developed two primary goals. The first was geared toward drastically reducing or altogether eliminating the “revolving door” of being in and out of jail for program participants. The second goal focused upon improving the quality of life for persons in the LCMHJDP, as well as for taxpayers of Lancaster County, Nebraska. Promoting individuals recovery and linking them to the very mental health services and supports that might have prevented their arrest in the first place, provides a win-win situation for all.

Participants of the program take part in an initial screening, an assessment, and a subsequent evaluation, prior to the court decision. Upon a favorable “Court Decision” the person is then released from jail and begins working with their assigned Intensive Case Manager or ICM. The ICM works with the individual on a number of issues such as safe housing, establishing psychiatric care, medication management, food, clothing, transportation, and assistance with substance abuse evaluations and entitlements such as general assistance. Ultimately the ICM is working with the person to make certain that they are providing for their own day-to-day needs, as well as preparing them to transition out of the ICM model of care and into a less intensive level of community-based service provisions.

The issues addressed through the LCMHJDP are issues that affect many agencies. Taxpayers, educators, businessmen and women, home-owners, are all touched in different ways. Each of these sectors must contribute to mental health reform for it to be successful.

Just as issues affect multiple agencies, they impact various areas of an individual’s life. The focus must be geared towards treating the whole person. Inappropriate incarceration of those with mental illnesses is not effective. Individuals re-enter their communities with the same mental and psychosocial illnesses they had prior to being jailed, to the benefit of none.

The Lancaster County Program is being used as a model for others to follow. For additional information please contact Travis Parker, Lancaster County Mental Health Jail Diversion Project Director, at (402) 441-6610 or email tparker@ci.lincoln.ne.us.

Additional information may be accessed through the following web sites:

• The Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project:
  http://www.consensusproject.org
  The web site contains a repository of information about all aspects of jail diversion, reentry, and enhanced treatment for offenders with mental illness.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance:
  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/
  Administers federal mental health courts program, provides resources and information for jail diversion, publications and reports, information about federal funding sources.
  
  
• The National Gains Center:
  http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/html/default.asp
  Focused on expanding access to community based services for adult's diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders at all points of contact with the justice system.
  
  
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF):
  http://www.policeforum.org/
  Provides information about criminal justice and mental health, community policing and other relevant information.
  
  
• The Reentry Policy Council:
  http://www.reentrypolicy.org/
  Bipartisan recommendations for successful prisoner reentry practices. This comprehensive report is beneficial as it recommends reentry strategies that reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
  
  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
  http://www.samsha.gov
  Administers federal jail diversion grant program, resource information, publications, and other helpful information about criminal justice and mental health.