Transitional planning for newly released inmates is essential to address mental health and associated disorders using a cross-systems approach.
Samhsa’s Gains Center for Behavior Health and Justice Transformation released a report last November that emphasized the necessity of combining criminal justice and behavioral health treatment interventions. The collaborative focus will assist in the fight to reduce recidivism and promote recovery.
The report, “Guidelines for the Successful Transition of People with Behavioral Health Disorders from Jail and Prison,” was developed to assist corrections professionals and mental health professionals.
The Behavioral Health Framework produced a paradigm that categorizes and identifies the subgroups in our society based strictly on behavioral health and criminogenic needs.
The report emphasized that in order to create a realistic opportunity for a successful re-entry, behavioral health, corrections and community corrections agencies must become partners.
A plan for state and local levels of government to interact on this endeavor was based on the following principles: assessing, planning, identifying and coordinating.
1. Assessing the individual’s clinical and social needs, and public safety risk
2. Plan for the treatment and services required to address the individual’s needs
3. Identify required community and correctional programs responsible for post-release services
4. Coordinate the transition plan to ensure implementation and avoid gaps in care with community-based services
Each of these principles addresses an area of importance in the fight against recidivism. They also act as guides to evidence-based transitional planning.
The report concluded that, “applying these principles, state and local policymakers and behavioral health and criminal justice practitioners can promote the development of effective transition and reentry practices for individuals with behavioral health disorders who are involved in the criminal justice system.”
