Jail Transitions and Rural Communities: Implications for Practice and Policy

Individuals who experience mental illness and are transitioning from jail into rural communities have high rates of health disparities and face unique challenges when attempting to access health care, which is further complicated in the context of rurality. Continuation of justice system requirements often presents further barriers, including lack of continuity between health care providers, lack of bridge medications from jail to community, transportation barriers, and competing requirements between justice system obligations and health care system needs. Health care providers can identify barriers within these patient populations; yet, interventions are limited when unidirectional. Advocacy for policy change is needed.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.