Strategies
Advocacy is necessary to achieve the changes to state law, state and
local regulation, policies and procedures to accomplish the goals of programs
such as those described in this report. Strategies suggested at the GAINS
conference symposium included the following:
- Present such changes appropriately. Public and policy-makers
have negative views about prisoners. However, initiatives to secure
benefits for inmates as soon as they are released have a significant
impact on crime prevention and reduction of recidivism. While mental
health advocates will welcome such changes because of their impact on
the individuals' lives, many policymakers may respond more to issues
of public safety.
- Enlist corrections officials as allies for reform efforts.
Once they understand how this will help them manage people
with serious mental disorders in their facilities, corrections officials
can become important partners. Reducing recidivism among this group--currently
high--can diminish the need for suicide watches and avoid incidents
(including successful suicide) that are very traumatic for corrections
officers.
- Identify (or become) a champion for such changes in
the community.
- Use data effectively. Data can be extremely compelling.
Statistics that are relatively easily compiled include the number of
adults and juveniles with serious mental disorders in state or local
corrections facilities (if specific numbers are unavailable, it is reasonable
to apply national percentages to jail or prison populations), the cost
of jail days and the added cost of handling individuals with mental
illnesses (suicide watch, mental health unit, staff time to deal with
problems that arise when within the general population, etc.).
- Support efforts by legislators who take an interest in this
issue and begin to raise it. Support is most helpful when it
comes from those within the criminal justice system, but advocates
for people with mental illnesses can also make clear the need for such
changes.
- Create 3" x 5" cards with key messages to give to
legislators and supporters of change. With such cards, every advocate
will be able to present a succinct and consistent message.
For state legislators or state policymakers interested in putting in
place state rules that comport with federal law and lead to improved access
to benefits and supports upon release, the Bazelon Center has developed
A Model Act to Reduce Recidivism by Improving Access to Benefits for Individuals
with Psychiatric Disabilities Released from Incarceration.(16)
The goal of this model law is both to facilitate the community
reintegration of adults and juveniles with psychiatric disabilities upon
release from correctional facilities and to enhance public safety and
provide cost-effective care. It addresses the policy issues that today
prevent such individuals from receiving benefits speedily upon release
from incarceration by directing the relevant state and local agencies
to adopt specific policies and procedures so that individuals with psychiatric
disabilities can:
- remain enrolled, to the degree federal law permits, in federal health
insurance and income support programs while incarcerated;
- be speedily reinstated or enrolled, if eligible, upon release;
- obtain temporary health care coverage and income support upon release
while receipt of federal benefits is pending;
- receive mental health and substance abuse services shortly before
and upon release, including case management and medication.
The model law, if enacted, would accomplish this by establishing policies
and procedures that fully comply with the complex federal rules for state
Medicaid and social services agencies, state and local correctional agencies
and facilities, mental health authorities and mental health providers.
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