Midwest City Jail officials are trying to break the cycle of repeat offenders in their custody.
Police Chief Brandon Clabes says mental health and substance abuse services for inmates are offered in almost all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, but Midwest City is the only town to do it at the municipal level, The Journal Record’s Christie Tapp reports:
Clabes said the program started because of the high volume of people admitted to the jail for crimes associated with mental health problems. About 4,000 people a year go through the city’s jail, he said. Since 2014, 833 people have been screened and 96 accepted the program. About 60 percent of those graduated, and only 15 percent of those have re-offended in the area, according to Red Rock Behavioral Health Services.
The program lasts three to six months after a person is released from jail. It offers medical services, as well as group and individual therapy. Participants can partner with case managers to acquire housing, transportation and employment.
From Tapp:
Red Rock Diversion Program Coordinator Reaina Harris gives a mental health screening to about 11 people a day at the jail. Harris said most of the participants, who are usually between 21 and 34 years old, have committed misdemeanor offenses that could escalate if not addressed. “It’s very important to stop the cycle as soon as possible,” she said. “You don’t want to wait until that offender has committed a felony before treatment begins.” Harris said people can volunteer for the program if they meet the criteria of having issues related to mental health or substance abuse.
Clabes said he wants to expand now that the program has reached its 25-participant capacity. It cost about $50,000 last year, paid for by Midwest City police and the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
“Funding is the first challenge,” he said. “Second would be to get help to the people who need it.” Clabes said he would like to see this model in other cities. It provides opportunities instead of people going back into jail, where they are not able to go to work, pay taxes and take care of their families, he said. “I’m in a leadership role to make a positive change in the community,” Clabes said. “This program has been a great success.”
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