SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH – September 9, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake County officials are endorsing the recommendations of a just-completed, independent study about the county’s ongoing efforts to divert those with mental illness and substance use disorders away from the county jail and into treatment.
The report’s findings were presented by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center – a national nonprofit that serves local, state and federal policy makers.
The report has been endorsed by Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, Sheriff Jim Winder and District Attorney Sim Gill. “We’ve known for some time that we needed better data on where the gaps are in how we identify, assess, track and treat those folks who wind up in jail as the facility of last resort. That’s why our Behavioral Health Division has piloted a number of programs to get people into a less expensive, more effective setting than an overcrowded jail whose purpose is to lock up criminals. This study confirms that we’re on the right path but that there’s more to do,” said Mayor McAdams.
Mayor McAdams’ response follows the recent presentation of the extensive report to Salt Lake County’s Criminal Justice Advisory Council. The report found one-third of people on pretrial supervision and half the population on county probation do not fulfill the requirements of their release from jail. It also found that people with mental illnesses stayed longer in jail and returned more frequently than people without mental illnesses. Also, it found that county officials did not know whether people released from jail with behavioral health disorders were connected to the treatment and services they need in the community.
The researchers looked at more than 2.4 million individual records provided by the jail, the courts, Adult Probation and Parole, the Division of Behavioral Health Services, Criminal Justice Services, the District Attorney’s office and the Legal Defender Association. The study group consisted of people who were released from the county jail from August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014.
Sheriff Winder said his efforts to understand and address these issues precede the study but it helps clarify where time and money should best be directed.
“These issues are all connected,” said Sheriff Winder. “Our ability to identify all people with behavioral health disorders in the jail will help us to improve their reentry into the community, help ensure they get appropriate health services once they are released and ultimately lower the risk they’ll be back in jail. There’s no piecemeal approach to this. We have to share data and follow evidence to do what works.”
“We have a criminal justice problem in the county that is not sustainable,” said District Attorney Sim Gill. “This report validates what we’ve known are the gaps that must be addressed. We’re ready, willing and able to step up to the plate and solve problems.”
Both McAdams, Winder and Gill say they’re encouraged by recent Utah legislative action, known as the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. (HB 348). Changes in state law recognize that too many people with mental illness and substance use disorders are being sentenced to prison or jail and community-based alternatives to jail for this group of people are inadequate. The Mayor, the Sheriff and the DA say the county is in a good position to take advantage of criminal justice system reforms, including state dollars to fund these efforts.
“Ask any sheriff. He or she will tell you – reducing the number of people in the jail suffering from mental illness is a top priority,” said Michael Thompson, director of the CSG Justice Center. “What sets the work of Salt Lake County apart from other counties is a sophisticated, comprehensive plan to identify incoming jail clients with mental illness, understand his or her risk of re-offense and then to match that person to the services and supervision corresponding to the risk and need, and to help that person succeed post-release. Equally impressive is the commitment to measure progress toward ambitious targets. We hope counties everywhere follow this lead.”
Last year, the county’s Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) launched a comprehensive analysis of the county’s jail population. Working in partnership with the Justice Center, the effort was designed to identify ways to reduce the repeat offender rate among people released from jail and find ways to improve outcomes for the high number of jailed individuals struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders. CJAC examined various aspects of the county’s justice system including the courts, jail, pre-trial services, probation and community-based treatment programs.
“Dedicating more of a focus on the people being released that are at higher risk of re-offending makes sense from a public safety standpoint, a cost standpoint and from the standpoint of the individual offender. We’re committed to changing our approach to improve outcomes and use our resources efficiently and effectively,” said Kele Griffone, division director of Criminal Justice Services for the county.
Salt Lake County officials cautioned that while there is strong political will to meet the targets listed in the report, much of the improvement and the timing will depend on when funding becomes available. However, some of the work will begin immediately, using the funding available to Salt Lake County that was appropriated by the legislature.
The complete report is available on the CSG Justice Center website.
