Case Management and Recidivism of Mentally Ill Persons Released From Jail

Abstract

This study found hopeful signs that expanding access to case management, both inside and outside jail, will help mentally ill people live in their communities and stay out of jail.

Community reintegration of prisoners with mental illness: A social investment perspective

“…Active and continuous mental health treatment is the best defense against relapse, as well as the best offense for recovery. In turn, relapse prevention protects against recidivism (Beck & Maruschak, 2001;Monahan et al, 2001;Solomon, Draine, & Meyerson, 1994;Ventura, Cassel, Jacoby, & Huang, 1998).…”

Using mHealth to Increase Treatment Utilization Among Recently Incarcerated Homeless Adults (Link2Care): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…Studies have indicated that case management services for substance use and psychological distress can attenuate the link between homelessness and incarceration. [15][16][17][18] The overall significance and scope of this issue was eloquently stated by Kushel and colleagues in their evaluation of the "revolving door" of homeless incarceration, [16] "High rates of imprisonment among homeless populations may be the end result of a system that does not provide access to timely services, including access to housing, health care, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment, and systems that have obstacles preventing receipt of these services by people exiting prison" (p. 1751). Thus, individuals who leave jail and return to the community without stable housing are at increased risk for premature mortality, [19,20] and re-arrest, [10,12] and are critically in need of interventions that increase access to services.…”

“…Thus, individuals who leave jail and return to the community without stable housing are at increased risk for premature mortality, [19,20] and re-arrest, [10,12] and are critically in need of interventions that increase access to services. [15] Case Management Case management is the professional coordination of individualized care. [21] Specifically, case managers link individuals with relevant services and help them to overcome barriers to service utilization.…”

“…[17,22,23] More intensive case management services (often employed with homeless adults) include a multidimensional approach with integrated counseling, independent living skills building, assertive outreach, and crisis intervention. [24] Case management has been shown to be effective in improving housing stability, mental health, quality of life, and social functioning; while reducing substance use, hospitalization stays, and incarceration in at-risk populations [15,[25][26][27] including homeless and recently incarcerated adult populations (see meta-analysis [23]). …”

“…[30] For example, it is difficult for an individual to identify which services and housing placement programs are and are not available to those with histories of arrest, substance abuse, and serious mental illness. [15,[31][32][33] Furthermore, inability to provide valid identification (e.g., drivers licence or birth certificate) limits the ability to obtain employment assistance and disability services, and is often a rationale for arrest by police. [30] In addition, lack of access to transportation reduces the ability of this population to access free and available community services (e.g., food, clothing, temporary housing, obtaining identification).…”