October 2011 e-newsletter
CSG Justice Center Partners with NYC to Address High Rates of People with Mental Illnesses in the City’s Jails
The Council of State Governments Justice Center is partnering with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office, the city's Department of Correction, Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, and high-ranking city and state officials to help improve the city’s response to people with mental illnesses in jails and under community supervision. Justice Center researchers will analyze citywide criminal justice and health data in order to recommend policies that connect people with mental illnesses to treatment, reduce corrections spending, and improve public safety. The Justice Center’s Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project is coordinating the initiative, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation.
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Sites Selected to Pilot New Mental Health Court Curriculum
The Council of State Governments Justice Center has identified four jurisdictions to serve as “pilot sites” for its forthcoming curriculum for practitioners interested in developing mental health courts. Stakeholders from the pilot jurisdictions will use an advance version of the course, which includes online presentations and group activities, and participate in focus groups throughout the fall and winter to help authors finalize it for broad release. The Justice Center will release the final version of the curriculum online--where users can access it for free--in spring 2012.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
BJA Announces FY2011 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Grantees
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has named its 2011 grantees under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), which was authorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004 (MIOTCRA).
The 2011 grantees represent 40 jurisdictions from 35 states and territories. Of these, nine communities received planning grants with a maximum award of $50,000 for 12 months. 27 received planning and implementation grants, with a maximum award of $250,000 for 30 months. Six communities received expansion grants, with a maximum award of $200,000 for 24 months. All grants required a joint application from a mental health agency and the unit of government responsible for criminal and/or juvenile justice activities.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center's Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project will provide technical assistance to the new grantees.
This is the seventh round of grantees funded through MIOTCRA. Through funds appropriated in FY2010, BJA awarded 62 grants in 39 states. Through funds appropriated in FY2009, BJA awarded 43 JMHCP grants in 30 states, and with FY 2008 funds, BJA awarded 23 JMHCP grants in 18 states (and Guam). Read more about previous JMHCP grantees on the Consensus Project’s local programs database.
Policy Research Associates Awarded Federal Contract to Operate SAMHSA's GAINS Center for Behavioral Health & Justice Transformation
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded Policy Research Associates a five-year contract to operate “SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation.” Formerly known as the National GAINS Center, SAMHSA's GAINS Center will provide technical assistance to the field and to SAMHSA grant programs. The center will provide the field guidance on integrating best practices in mental health and substance use treatment for justice-involved persons, with a specific eye on the impact of the Affordable Care Act.
New Book: Using Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending
The recently published book, Using Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending, consists of a series of essays by leading scholars and practitioners on how social science can inform more effective criminal and juvenile justice policies. The book can help both policymakers and practitioners apply the findings of recent social science scholarship when working with people in the criminal justice system--including individuals with mental illnesses. Contributors include experts in the fields of social science, forensic psychology, and criminal justice. It was edited by Dr. Joel Dvoskin, Dr. Jennifer Skeem, Dr. Raymond W. Novaco, and Dr. Kevin S. Douglas
To learn more about this book and to purchase a copy, visit http://www.reducingviolence.com/.
CJ/MH IN THE NEWS
Articles from newspapers around the country covering issues at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice can be found on the Consensus Project website. Some recent headlines from the homepage are posted below.