Use of the Sequential Intercept Model as an Approach to Decriminalization of People With Serious Mental Illness

Abstract

The Sequential Intercept Model provides a conceptual framework for communities to use when considering the interface between the criminal justice and mental health systems as they address concerns about criminalization of people with mental illness. The model envisions a series of points of interception at which an intervention can be made to prevent individuals from entering or penetrating deeper into the criminal justice system. Ideally, most people will be intercepted at early points, with decreasing numbers at each subsequent point. The interception points are law enforcement and emergency services; initial detention and initial hearings; jail, courts, forensic evaluations, and forensic commitments; reentry from jails, state prisons, and forensic hospitalization; and community corrections and community support. The model provides an organizing tool for a discussion of diversion and linkage alternatives and for systematically addressing criminalization. Using the model, a community can develop targeted strategies that evolve over time to increase diversion of people with mental illness from the criminal justice system and to link them with community treatment.

Reducing the incarceration of the homeless : an examination of multi-service use and the utilization of institutional services.

“…It is estimated that men are ten times more likely to be incarcerated than females and that African Americans are six times more likely to be incarcerated than whites (Fisher et aI., 2011). Of considerable concern is the increasing number of homeless found in our jails and prisons, many of which suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders (Belcher, 1988;Calsyn, Yonker, Lemming, Morse & Klinkenberg, 2005;Fitzpatrick & Myrstol, 2011;Greenberg & Rosenheck, 2008, Golder et aI., 2005Lynch & Sabol, 2004;Markowitz, 2006;Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Perez, Leifman & Estrada, 2003). Greenberg and Rosenheck (2008) suggest that poor health status and disadvantageous socioeconomic characteristics have been found to contribute to the high rates of homeless ness.…”

“…One area where there has been significant evidence based research has been in pre-conviction diversion programs for individuals with mental illness (Broner, Lattimore, Cowell & Schlenger, 2004;Cowell, Lattimor & Krebs, 2010;Hartford et al, 2007;Lamberti et aI., 2004';Perez et aI., 2003;Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Steadman & Naples, 2005;Vaughn et aI., 2007;Weedon, 2005;Vee, 2000). According to Siegel (2009), "diversion programs are designed to remove offenders from the normal channels of the criminal justice system by placing them in programs designed for rehabilitation" (p. 219).…”

“…One model that utilizes diversion programs is the Sequential Intercept Model (Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Slate & Johnson, 2008;Vogel et aI., 2007). The Sequential Intercept Model consists of a series of intercept points where interventions can be made to prevent individual:.. with mental disorders from entering into or penetrating deeper into the criminal justice system (Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Slate & Johnson, 2008;Vogel et aI., 2007).…”

“…The Sequential Intercept Model consists of a series of intercept points where interventions can be made to prevent individual:.. with mental disorders from entering into or penetrating deeper into the criminal justice system (Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Slate & Johnson, 2008;Vogel et aI., 2007). According to Munetz and Griffin (2006), "the interception points are law enforcement and emergency services; initial detention and initial hearings; jails, courts, forensic evaluations, and forensic commitments; reentry from jails, state prisons, and forensic hospitalization; and community corrections and community support" (p. 544).…”

“…The Sequential Intercept Model aims to link individuals to community treatment in hopes of reducing the rate of return to the criminal justice system through collaboration between the criminal justice ~~stem and treatment systems (Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Vogel et aI., 2007). Intercept 2, initial hearing and initial detention, often utilize post-arrest diversion strategies for individuals accused of less serious crimes (Hartford et aI., 2007;Munetz & Griffin, 2006;Spooner et aI., 2001;Thompson et aI., 2003;Vogel et aI., 2007).…”