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“Creating Opportunities for Safer Communities”

Recidivism and mental health: what is the connection and what are we doing about it in Iowa? MARCH 29, 2017. “Creating Opportunities for Safer Communities”. Scope of Reentry Challenge. Over 98% of individuals in jail/ prison return to the community, and:.

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“Creating Opportunities for Safer Communities”

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  1. Recidivism and mental health: whatis the connection and what are we doing about it in Iowa?MARCH 29, 2017 “Creating Opportunities for Safer Communities” Iowa Department of Corrections

  2. Scope of Reentry Challenge Over98% of individuals in jail/ prison return to the community, and: • 68% of state prisoners are rearrested in 3 years • 50%of state prisoners are reincarcerated in 3 years Source: Pew Center on the States (2012); Bureau of Justice Statistics (2014) Iowa Department of Corrections

  3. Reducing recidivism has emerged as a national priority 1 in 33 adults is under correctional control. Spending increased from $12 billion in 1988 to $53 billion in 2013. While many states are seeing cuts to criminal justice components serving recidivism reduction functions. Despite dropping crime rates across the country, recidivism rates remain stubbornly high. Source: National Association of State Budget Officers, State Expenditure Report (1988 and 2014) Iowa Department of Corrections

  4. National statistics • Nearly 25% of both State prisoners and jail inmates who had a mental health problem, compared to a fifth of those without, had served 3 or more prior incarcerations. • About 74% of State prisoners who had a mental health problem met criteria for substance dependence or abuse. • Nearly 63% of State prisoners who had mental health problems had used drugs in the month before their arrest. • State prisoners who had mental health problem were twice as likely as those without to have been homeless in the year prior to their arrest. • Over 1 in 3 State prisoners who had a mental health problem had received treatment since admission to prison. BJS Special Report, 2006 Iowa Department of Corrections

  5. Iowa Department of Corrections

  6. IOWA Prison Population Iowa Department of Corrections

  7. RETURN RATES TO PRISON WITHIN 3 YEARS Iowa Department of Corrections

  8. Statement of the problem • Persons with mental illness are grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system • Criminal justice systems has become the de facto mental health system • Persons with mental illness are at double risk for failing supervision • …and more likely than their counterparts to fail because of technical violations Jennifer Skeem, 2016 Iowa Department of Corrections

  9. Additional Challenges Due to Stigma • Bias • Distrust • Prejudice • Fear • Avoidance • Distress • Anger • Stereotyping • Reduced Access: • Housing • Employment • Treatment • Other services • Perception of violence • Discrimination Iowa Department of Corrections Source: Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health (1999)

  10. The Behavioral Health – Criminal Justice Problem in Summary • Arrested more often . . . • Incarceration exacerbates symptoms of mental illness. . • Incarcerated longer . . . • Difficulty accessing treatment in the community.. . • More likely to “fail” community supervision . . • What can you do to help support criminal justice and behavioral health staff, providers, and administrators address this problem? Iowa Department of Corrections 10

  11. What is the relationship between crime and mental illness? • Arrest rarely is a direct product of mental illness. • Mental illness is a modest risk for recidivism. • Leading risk factors ( e.g., criminal history, substance abuse, antisocial values & beliefs, antisocial peers, antisocial personality) are shared by those with and without mental illness. • Individuals with mental illness have various pathways into the criminal justice system. • Individuals with mental illness are at increased risk of developing substance abuse disorders and arrests have skyrocketed since 1980s. • Once involved, individuals tend to get caught up in a whirlpool fueled with managing illness and supervision conditions. Iowa Department of Corrections Jennifer Skeem, 2016

  12. Improving outcomes Improved Outcomes—Symptoms & functioning + Reduced risk Iowa Department of Corrections

  13. IDOC’s approach to improving Mental Health outcomes • Mental health training for staff • Core Correctional Practices • Recruiting and retaining mental health staff • Tele-psychiatry • Mental health information sharing program • NAMI P2P • Continuity of treatment • Community Connections Supporting Reentry (CCSR) Iowa Department of Corrections

  14. Criminal Justice Professionals Must Be Able to Rely on Their Partners in the Behavioral Health System • Conduct comprehensive assessments • Develop treatment plans • Provide necessary services • Continuous quality improvement Iowa Department of Corrections

  15. Moving forward • Balanced approach—supervision and treatment • Opportunities for diversion • Training • Collaboration • Information sharing • Reentry • Bipartisan support • National resources Iowa Department of Corrections

  16. Reentry Matters

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