A Statewide Evaluation of Jail-Based Mental Health Interventions

The present study evaluates eight mental health jail interventions (MHJIs) across Michigan that were developed to reduce jail populations through services including advocacy for early jail release, in-jail mental health treatment services, discharge planning and referral, and discharge planning follow-up. Current study analysis uses multisource administrative data to assess mental health treatment and recidivism outcomes among participants following their release from jail. A total of 1,183 individuals participated in eight MHJIs. The present study evaluated efficacy of the MHJIs utilizing three postrelease outcome variables: continuity of care, treatment engagement, and recidivism. Findings show that MHJIs improved mental health treatment outcomes among participants but had limited impact on reducing recidivism. Participants who received a diversion intervention, experienced higher service dosage, and who successfully completed the MHJI had better mental health treatment outcomes following jail release. Additionally, analysis indicates that certain demographic, behavioral health, and criminal/legal background indicators were associated with better mental health treatment outcomes among participants. This study highlights MHJIs to address outcomes for people with mental health needs before, during, and after a jail stay, acknowledging that comprehensive mental health and substance misuse programming must extend beyond carceral facilities and address both treatment and other criminogenic risk factors.