NCJ Number
158525
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report expands and reinforces the findings and recommendations in "Persons With Mental Illness and Mental Retardation and the Criminal Justice System: Issues, Models, Recommendations."
Abstract
Findings and recommendations are based on a literature review, field visits, and input from a wide variety of stakeholders in both the criminal justice, mental health, and mental retardation systems. The study found that guarantees of due process and adequate support throughout the legal process are inconsistently available. Assessment and evaluation tools to identify and divert people with mental retardation to more appropriate services are also inconsistently applied. Critical needs include expanded data collection; improved training of police, judicial, legal, and medical staff; uniformly administered assessment and evaluation systems; and the development of effective alternatives to incarceration. The study found a number of successful programs that assist people with mental retardation involved in the criminal justice system. Common elements of these programs are collaborative efforts derived from local needs, intensive case management, small caseloads, data-based decisionmaking, and meaningful outcome measures. Recommendations for systems change include the development of more extensive services for those committed to the Department of Corrections; the collection and analysis of data to assess accurately the scope of need; the provision of habilitative services to those diverted from the criminal justice system; the expansion of academic liaisons to perform research; the development of technical assistance for those who make decisions about persons with mental retardation in the criminal justice system; and the creation of a comprehensive plan to address the range of issues. Appended suggested model for intensive aftercare and a compilation of relevant resources