Report Assesses the Success and Replication of Framingham’s Jail Diversion Program for Mentally Ill Offenders
Author: Sylvia B. Perlman.
Source: Volume 09, Number 01, May/June 2005 , pp.1-5(5)
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Abstract:
The Framingham, Massachusetts Jail Diversion Program (JDP) offers one example of a program designed to keep mentally ill non-criminals out of the criminal justice system. Advocates, Inc., a large not-for-profit provider of behavioral healthcare services, developed the JDP in response to a need that was felt by the Framingham Police Department as well as Advocates own Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) program. The first and, as of this writing, only jail diversion program in the state, the JDP began operations in April 2003. This article explains the outcomes and potential replication of the program in other facilities.Keywords: mental health; diversion
Affiliations:
1: Dougherty Management Associates.