CJET program helps offenders with mental health issues stay out of jail
Oct 19, 2019, 5:45 PM
(Public Domain Photo)
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — A new program to help low-risk criminal offenders with mental health issues stay out of jail is showing effectiveness through its first three years of existence.
The Maricopa County Correctional Health Services created the Criminal Justice Engagement Team (CJET) in conjunction with Southwest Behavior Health.
The program has helped reduce the risk of offenders returning to jail by 25% compared to those that were eligible but declined the program, according to a release.
CJET provides released prisoners with 90 days of mental health care, an assessment of housing needs and transportation to court appearances.
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“They identify people who are seriously mentally ill and are low risk and then they go right there at intake and they say look if you’re interested in doing this, we will take this to the judge,” former Maricopa County Mental Health Services Director Dr. Dawn Noggle said in the release.
There were 973 offenders who were referred to the program and 14% of them participated. Of the participants, only 32% returned to prison while 57% of those that did not participate were sent back to jail.
“So it’s a powerful, powerful program with great community partners who have such focus and passion for this work,” Noggle said.
