Crisis intervention team training: when police encounter persons with mental illness

Crisis Intervention Team Training in a Correctional Setting: Examining Compliance, Mental Health Referrals, and Use of Force

“…For example, the significant relationship between CIT and eventual compliance suggests that CIT-trained officers may be more successful in de-escalating situations so that incarcerated people who are initially noncompliant choose to comply with instructions. In addition, consistent with research on police (Bratina et al, 2018;Compton et al, 2008Compton et al, , 2014bHeilbrun et al, 2012;Kohrt et al, 2015;Lattimore et al, 2003;Ritter et al, 2011; Scantlebury et al, 2017;Strauss et al, 2005;Teller et al, 2006;Tyuse, 2012;Watson et al, 2010), correctional officers were more likely to make mental health referrals for those experiencing mental health issues during CIT incidents. This suggests CIT training equips correctional officers with the knowledge they need to help incarcerated people obtain appropriate mental health care.…”

“…Research on the effectiveness of CIT training shows marked improvement in knowledge of mental health issues, perceptions of the mentally ill, and self-reported confidence in responding to situations involving persons with mental illness (Compton et al, 2014a, 2006; Ellis, 2014; Hacker & Horan, 2019; Haigh et al, 2020; Hanafi et al, 2008; Kohrt et al, 2015; Ritter et al, 2010; Tulley & Smith, 2015; but for null results, see Compton et al, 2015). Furthermore, officers trained by CIT-like programs are better able to direct individuals with mental illnesses to the appropriate medical or social services by engaging in medical transports or making referrals and diversions to service providers (Bratina et al, 2018; Compton et al, 2008, 2014b; Heilbrun et al, 2012; Kohrt et al, 2015; Lattimore et al, 2003; Ritter et al, 2011; Scantlebury et al, 2017; Strauss et al, 2005; Tyuse, 2012; Watson et al, 2010). Similarly, Teller and colleagues (2006) noted an increase in medical transports in Akron, Ohio, after the Akron Police Department’s CIT training program was implemented.…”

“…In particular, we test the following three hypotheses. First, based on prior research showing that CIT-trained police officers are more likely to make mental health referrals or medical transports (Bratina et al, 2018;Compton et al, 2008Compton et al, , 2014bHeilbrun et al, 2012;Kohrt et al, 2015;Lattimore et al, 2003;Ritter et al, 2011;Scantlebury et al, 2017;Strauss et al, 2005;Teller et al, 2006;Tyuse, 2012;Watson et al, 2010), we expect CIT training within corrections to be positively related to the use of mental health referrals. Second, based on the literature on CIT and use of force in policing (Compton et al, 2015;Haigh et al, 2020;Skeem & Bibeau, 2008;Watson et al, 2010), as well as the limited evidence that CIT training is related to lower use of force in corrections (Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research, 2007), we expect CIT training of correctional officers to be related to lower use of force.…”

“…CIT programs in police departments have shown improvements in outcomes such as medical transports or referrals to mental health services (Bratina et al, 2018;Compton et al, 2008Compton et al, , 2014bHeilbrun et al, 2012;Kohrt et al, 2015;Lattimore et al, 2003;Ritter et al, 2011;Scantlebury et al, 2017;Strauss et al, 2005;Teller et al, 2006;Tyuse, 2012;Watson et al, 2010) and use of force (Compton et al, 2014b(Compton et al, , 2015Morabito et al, 2012;Skeem & Bibeau, 2008). Only a handful of studies have examined outcomes associated with corrections-based CIT training, with encouraging but limited results (Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research, 2007;Davidson, 2016;Public Health Research Institute, 2005).…”

Facilitators and Inhibitors of Mental Discrimination in the Workplace: A Traditional Review

“…Citizens with mental disabilities have been excessively impacted by the application of deadly force (International Human Rights Clinic, 2017). For instance, in the United States, a 2016 Washington Post report claimed that of the 963 persons who were killed by police, 25% of these were associated with mental ill health (Bratina et al, 2020).…”