Consensus Project - May 2011 e-newsletter

May 2011 e-newsletter

FEATURES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TX Chief Justice-Led Mental Health Task Force Receives Award

The Texas Chief Justice-Led Mental Health Task Force was recently awarded the “Promotion of Positive Mental Health Award” by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. Led by the Honorable Sharon Keller, Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Task Force is a coalition of county and state policymakers advocating for improvements to the state’s management of justice-involved people with mental illnesses. Shortly after its formation in 2007, the Task Force helped pass legislation to facilitate information sharing across the state’s criminal justice and mental health systems. The Texas Board of Criminal Justice is a governor-appointed board of supervisors that oversees the activities of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Board established the award in 2009 to “recognize a group or individual who has made a significant and long term impact on positive mental health practices for offenders or employees who work in the criminal justice field.”

State Task Force Seeks to Improve Ways to Handle Mental Health Cases in Criminal Justice System

The Judicial Council of California received a comprehensive report from the Task Force for Criminal Justice Collaboration on Mental Health Issues that makes 137 recommendations for improving practice and procedure in cases involving both adult and juvenile offenders with mental illnesses. The task force is supported by the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project.

Webinar and Forum Discussion on the Importance of Juvenile Risk/Needs Assessment

The Consensus Project recently hosted a webinar on the key concepts of risk assessment and its implementation in juvenile justice agencies. The recorded webinar is now available online. You are also invited to participate in an online discussion forum on this important topic. There, you can view responses to the questions that were submitted during the webinar for which there was not enough time to address during the live event. We encourage you to contribute any additional questions you have, or share the lessons learned within your own jurisdiction about implementing risk assessment tools for juveniles. We look forward to hearing from you on the forum!

Register for the 2011 CIT International Conference

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) International is hosting its annual conference in Virginia Beach, VA from September 12-14, 2011. The conference will consist of over 100 workshops and a plenary presentation from clinical psychologist Dr. Joel Dvoskin. To register for the event either as an exhibitor or participant, click here.

Join the Transitions Clinic Network

The Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) is a national network of communities that provide health services to recently released prisoners. Funded by the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation, the TCN is a free opportunity for professionals caring for medically complex returning prisoners to communicate with their peers and learn best practices.

CJ/MH IN THE NEWS

Articles from newspapers around the country covering issues at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice can be found on the Consensus Project website. Some recent headlines from the homepage are posted below.

The New York Times (CA) — Police Seek New Ways to Defuse Tension

5/22/11 — "The Los Angeles police respond to about 100 calls involving barricaded subjects each year. Often, alcoholism, drugs or mental illness is involved, and in some cases the person has had repeated contacts with the police. How officers respond and what they say when they first arrive at a scene is critical, Detective Irvin and Officer Baker said."

Cherokee Tribune (GA) — Cooperative effort helps authorities to deal with crises

5/20/11 — "A collaborative effort between law enforcement and the mental health community to quell crisis situations continues to see success."

Argus Leader (SD) — New crisis team will respond to similar calls soon

5/20/11 — "A mobile crisis response team expected to be operational this summer is designed to defuse potentially violent situations once 911 operators receive a suicide or mental health call."

Nevada News Bureau (NV) — Democrats Oppose Cost Shift of Mental Health Courts To Counties, Open $6 Million Hole In Sandoval Budget

5/17/11 — "A proposal by Gov. Brian Sandoval to transfer the state share of operating the mental health courts to the counties was rejected by Democrat lawmakers today, creating another $6 million hole in the upcoming two-year budget that starts July 1."

Toledo Blade (OH) — Court looks to help juveniles

5/13/11 — "Over the last 10 years, Wood County Juvenile Court Judge David Woessner has seen more and younger children coming into his courtroom who have diagnosed mental health issues."

Illinois Times (IL) — How should police handle the mentally ill?

5/12/11 — "Sheriff Neil Williamson says his department is 'on the cutting edge' of training, including being among the first departments in the state to implement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for certain officers, which aids in handling people who may not have committed a crime, but who exhibit erratic or dangerous behavior."

Newark Advocate (OH) — Probation department is valuable asset to community

5/11/11 — "Many people don't realize exactly what the probation department does. Its primary function is to supervise offenders, but it also addresses the causes of criminal behavior."

The Seattle Medium (WA) — County Report Shows Effectiveness Of Mental Illness And Drug Treatment Programs

5/11/11 — "A program funded by the County sales tax is paying dividends, both for taxpayers and individuals receiving the treatment they need to stay out of the criminal justice system."

Cincinnati.com (OH) — Mental health court offers alternative to imprisonment

5/11/11 — "Hamilton County is one of seven courts in Ohio that deal with those charged with felonies who also have mental health problems."

Richmond Times Dispatch (VA) — Richmond court begins hearing mental docket

5/11/11 — "Officials say too many offenders languish in the city's jail because their mental condition causes them to continue committing nonviolent crimes."

Napa Valley Register (CA) — Napa County’s Mental Health Court

5/9/11 — "In June of 2009, Napa County began a court-based treatment and monitoring system for adult offenders who are afflicted with a serious mental illness that has been a direct contributor to their involvement with the criminal justice system."

Athens Banner-Herald (GA) — Deal signs bill to establish more mental health courts

5/5/11 — "Gov. Nathan Deal on Wednesday signed legislation to encourage more Georgia communities to establish mental health courts."

PJ Star (IL) — Officials: Peoria mental health court making impact

5/1/11 — "The program has been in place less than a year, and there are a mere 15 people involved, but those associated with Peoria County's mental health court program say it's working - one person, one case at a time."

Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch (CA) — California Justices Taking Closer Look At Criminals With Mental Illness

4/29/11 — "Mentally ill people coming into the criminal court system has become such a problem in the state that California justices are looking at 137 recommendations on how to handle the influx."

Oklahoma's Own (OK) — Prison Diversion Program Helping Oklahoma's Mentally Ill

4/28/11 — "The prison diversion program has saved taxpayers almost $2 million in one year, and the potential for more savings is out there since about 60 percent of prisoners with psychological disorders are non-violent."

Richmond Times Dispatch (VA) — Richmond considers measures to relieve jail crowding

4/27/11 — "Richmond's mayor is proposing new funding for several programs that would offer alternatives to traditional incarceration, moving forward with efforts aimed at relieving jail overcrowding and providing better treatment for mentally ill offenders."

Nashua Telegraph (NH) — Decline in Hillsborough County inmate population linked to mental health court

4/25/11 — "The average daily population at the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections is down about 60 people – and dropping still."