Intercept 5: Community Corrections

People under correctional supervision are usually on probation or parole as part of their sentence, as part of the step-down process from prison, or as part of other requirements by state statutes.

Intercept 5 Overview

• Involves individuals with mental or substance use disorders who are under community corrections’ supervision.
• Strengthens knowledge and ability of community corrections officers to serve people with mental or substance use disorders.
• Addresses the individuals’ risks and needs.
• Supports partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community-based behavioral health, mental health, or social service programs.

Key Elements for Diversion at Intercept 5

• Mental health training for all community corrections officers should be provided. Officers with specialized caseloads should receive additional, more in-depth training to learn about the specific needs of the people under their supervision. Example: Mental Health First Aid
• Specialized caseloads of people with mental and substance use disorders. The use of smaller and specialized mental health or substance use caseloads shows promising results. Specialized caseloads allow community corrections officers to provide support that keeps their clients on the path to recovery, increases connections to services and appointments, and reduces the chance of violations and jail stays.
• Community partnerships. As people under community supervision get jobs and become more self-sufficient, they may no longer qualify for critical supports. Community corrections officers can work with partners to make sure their clients have the support they need to remain independent, continue recovering, and avoid going back to the criminal justice system. Example: Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT)
• Medications for Substance Use Disorders is a substance use disorder treatment program that combines behavioral therapy with the use of medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These medications include methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. Medications for substance use disorders can help reduce the risk of overdose and relapse among people with substance use disorders once they are back in the community.
• Access to recovery supports. Housing and work with a livable wage are just as important as access to behavioral health services. However, many things can be barriers to employment and housing for people who have been in jail or prison. Community corrections officers can help reduce these barriers by helping their clients get government-issued photo identification, start or reinstate health care coverage, and access criminal record expungement. Examples: Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Permanent Supportive Housing (PHS)

Local Examples at Intercept 5

• Transitions Clinic Network (locations in 11 states and Puerto Rico)
  This network supports a group of patient-centered medical homes for people with chronic illness who are returning to their communities from incarceration. The clinics are staffed by Community Health Workers who have a history of incarceration.
• Georgia Department of Community Supervision (GA)
  Mental Health Supervision is provided to people with current, past, or chronic mental illness, which includes treatment and medication compliance support, as well as specialized training for the Mental Health Probation Officer Specialists.
• Returning Home Ohio (RHO)
  This collaboration between the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Corporation for Supportive Housing provides supportive housing for people leaving prison.
• Maricopa County Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (AZ)
  Community Bridges leads a multidisciplinary Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team. The team works with treatment and service providers and criminal justice partners to provide services and supervision to people with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders who need intensive community-based treatment. Team members include the County’s Adult Probation department.

Data and Statistics

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Publications
• Bureau of Justice Statistics

Featured Products

• Principles of Community-based Behavioral Health Services for Justice-involved Individuals: A Research-based Guide
• Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings
• MAT Inside Correctional Facilities: Addressing Medication Diversion
• Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System
• Data Collection Across the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM): Essential Measures
• Tailoring Crisis Response and Pre-Arrest Diversion Models for Rural Communities

Access key documents and guidance addressing behavioral health and criminal justice.