The diversion of mentally ill persons from jails to community-based services: a profile of programs.
OBJECTIVE
A major proposal for appropriately treating persons with mental illnesses who have been arrested is to divert them from jail to community-based mental health programs. However, there are few available definitions, guidelines, and principles for developing effective diversion programs. The goal of this research was to determine the number and kinds of jail diversion programs that exist, how they are set up, and which types of programs are effective.


METHODS
On the basis of information gathered during a national mail survey (n = 1263) and follow-up telephone survey of 115 responding jails, 18 sites were selected for on-site interviews based on perceived effectiveness and presence of a formal diversion program.


RESULTS
Data are presented from a national sample of jail diversion programs (n = 18). Key factors for developing diversion programs and descriptors of effective programs are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
It is clear that controlled, longitudinal studies of these programs' effectiveness, using client-based and organizational outcome measures, are badly needed.
Steadman
H J
HJ
Policy Research Associates, Delmar, NY 12054, USA.
Morris
S M
SM
Dennis
D L
DL
D019090:Case Management; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011330:Prisons; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States