Research Report
Behavioral Health Disability Incarceration Trends January 26, 2021
Topic: Disability
Issue Brief
Disability November 15, 2019
Access to Justice: A Cross-Disability Perspective on Reducing Jail Incarceration
Access Living believes that through focusing on the voices of impacted community members, providing robust cross-disability support and guidance to policymakers, and investing in non-incarcerative community supports, it is possible to further reduce the unnecessary incarceration of people with disabilities.
Issue Brief
Behavioral Health Disability Incarceration Trends August 1, 2019
Mental Health: The Legislative Primer Series for Front End Justice
These reports are part of a series that explores policies that affect the front end of the criminal justice system. Each brief looks at who is entering the “front door” of the criminal justice system and gives examples of legislation, national initiatives, best practices, promising programs and key research on timely issues. The series provides legislatures with the tools they need to consider cost-effective policies that protect public safety. This report provides legislators with an overview of how to better address justice-involved individuals who have mental health needs. It highlights innovative laws and policies aimed at reducing criminal justice involvement, diverting appropriate defendants away from the criminal justice system altogether, and forging connections to treatment and services for individuals in an incarceration setting.
Implementation Guide
Behavioral Health Collaboration Disability Diversion October 12, 2018
Case Study: Using the Sequential Intercept Model to Guide Local Reform
The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) provides a framework for addressing the interface between the criminal justice system and mental health system by assessing available community resources, determining service gaps, identifying opportunities to divert people from needless involvement in the criminal justice system, and implementing reforms at six distinct justice decision points, or “intercepts.” This case study examines how three communities used SIM to advance justice reform efforts, including their planning processes and objectives. The study also explores stakeholder reflections on the process and lessons learned, including the importance of neutral facilitators, a diverse and representative group involved in the mapping process, and preparation and education around the SIM.
Issue Brief
Behavioral Health Disability Diversion July 30, 2017
Diversion, Not Discrimination: How Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Can Help Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illness in Jails
This paper discusses why people with mental illness are over-represented in local justice systems and how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)–which has far-reaching requirements for public services provided by state, county, and local entities–can be used to strengthen diversion efforts and reduce jail populations. While the specific strategies adopted will vary depending on local circumstances, understanding the obligations the ADA imposes on public entities–including local mental health, criminal justice, and correctional programs–and the opportunities that arise when those obligations are addressed will assist sites in achieving the SJC goals.