Home      Login

Abstract: 

The Framingham Jail Diversion Program (JDP) was developed as a tool for patrol officers who instinctively know when an arrest is necessary and when, if available, diversion to treatment is more appropriate. By placing masters-degree level clinicians in the stations, police officers now have another option available to them. The primary goal for JDP clinicians is to divert persons with mental illness from the criminal justice system to appropriate services within the mental health and substance abuse treatment systems. This article explains the program components and gives anecdotal evidence that shows the potential benefits of such a diversion program.

Keywords: mental health; diversion

Affiliations:  1: Framingham Jail Diversion Program.