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Case management helps prevent criminal justice recidivism for people with serious mental illness

Heather Leutwyler (Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA)
Erin Hubbard (Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA)
Elaine Zahnd (Center for Health Policy Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles California, USA)

International Journal of Prisoner Health

ISSN: 1744-9200

Article publication date: 11 September 2017

1063

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how case management can decrease recidivism for people with serious mental illness (SMI) because people with SMI are at high risk for incarceration and recidivism.

Design/methodology/approach

Examples of successful case management models for formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI found through a secondary analysis of qualitative data and an analysis of the literature are presented.

Findings

Currently, no international, national, or statewide guidelines exist to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI receive case management upon community reentry despite evidence that such services can prevent further criminal justice involvement. Recommendations include establishment of and evaluation of best practices for case management. In addition, the authors recommend additional funding for case management with the goal of greatly increasing the number of individuals with SMI leaving the criminal justice system in their ability to access adequate case management.

Originality/value

Providing effective case management tailored to the needs of formerly incarcerated people with SMI improves their quality of life and reduces their involvement in the criminal justice system with clear positive outcomes for public safety and public health.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

No Disclosures to report

Funding source: this work was supported by a grant from the UC Office of the President. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Office of the President.

Citation

Leutwyler, H., Hubbard, E. and Zahnd, E. (2017), "Case management helps prevent criminal justice recidivism for people with serious mental illness", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 13 No. 3/4, pp. 168-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-06-2016-0021

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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