i_jailfunding_2017a_2017-08-28t09:05:09z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 08/28/2017

Location: SCR 352

12:11 PM -- Behavioral Health Services for County Jails



Jagruti Shah, Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services, provided an overview of jail based behavioral health services. She reported that 46 county jails have access to these services, and the remaining counties declined the program. She explained that the program is designed to support the county sheriffs in providing screening, assessment, and treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring substance and mental health disorders. She further explained that eligibility criteria varies from program to program, but the goals are to reduce recidivism and critical incidents in jail, link inmates to community based services, and shorten jail sentences. Ms. Shah reported that an independent contractor is conducting an evaluation on the program, and the final report is anticipated in December 2017. She answered questions from the committee and distributed a handout explaining the program, services provided, and numbers served (Attachment G).



17CountyCourthouse0828AttachG.pdf