What We Do
This project serves as a pre-trial intervention for individuals facing criminal justice charges from the McLennan County District Attorney. The program provides staff and procedures for identifying justice-involved individuals suffering from mental health conditions who would be better served with mental health services than with criminal prosecution. Staff for the program (provided by Heart of Texas Region MHMR with support from Tarleton State University) evaluate individuals for mental health needs and recommend interventions to a committee that determines whether the individual is likely to successfully complete a treatment plan that will meet their mental health needs and reduce their risk of engaging with law enforcement in the future. Individuals who successfully complete their treatment plan avoid prosecution for the activities for which they were arrested.
Who We Serve
The Mental Health Jail Diversion program serves individuals charged with crimes by the McLennan County District Attorney. Program staff evaluate individuals for mental health needs and provide services and supports to those individuals with an approved treatment plan.
Partnerships
How We Impact
Jail diversion programs serve both justice-involved individuals and the community as a whole. By reducing the number of individuals whose cases are fully prosecuted, the mental health jail diversion program reduces costs for both the District Attorney's office and McLennan County jail, which houses a large number of inmates with mental illness. The individuals involved in the jail diversion program not only receive much-needed mental health services and supports, they avoid becoming more deeply involved in the criminal justice system and avoid the negative outcomes associated with incarceration and a criminal conviction. This allows them the opportunity to remain productive members of the community.
Success Stories
Measures
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