A Needs Assessment for Planning Mental Health and Justice Housing – 2019-11-04
For people with justice involvement and mental health or addictions issues, supportive housing can foster stable lives, better health, and reduced service use. But who sets priorities when needs are complex and multiple service systems are involved? CMHA Toronto and
Building a Service Resolution Function in Toronto – Recommendations for Meeting the Needs of People with Complex Mental Health & Justice Challenges – 2015-11-18
We will present findings from our recent research conducted for the T-HSJCC, from which we developed the characteristics of distinctive models of service resolution tailored for the Toronto context, for people with complex mental health and addictions needs involved (or at
Exploration of joint working practices on anti‐social behaviour between criminal justice, mental health and social care agencies: A qualitative study – 2018
Although the police play an important role for people with mental health problems in the community, little is known about joint working practices between mental health, social care and police services. There is potential for tensions and negative outcomes for
Facilitators and Barriers to Building Collaborative and Sustainable Interventions – 2019-11-04
Over the past decade, considerable resources have been spent to implement and validate innovative programs and strategies in youth justice. As these evidence-based programs have proliferated and matured, the need for research to understand the conditions and processes necessary to
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder: diminished responsibility and mitigation of sentence [2017]
Objective: The objective of this study was to consider the implications of a recent Western Australia Court of Appeal decision in which an indigenous youth who had been sentenced for the manslaughter of his neonate child was later diagnosed with
Fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility assessments: Advocating for changes to the Canadian criminal code [2019]
Assessments of both fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility are common, complex forensic evaluations with substantial societal implications. Currently in Canada, medical practitioners, in particular psychiatrists, conduct the vast majority of assessments of fitness to stand trial and criminal
Forensic Mental Health and Justice Services in Ontario – 2019-11-05
The 2019 Ontario Budget announced investments of $174 million in 2019-20 to support community mental health and addictions services, mental health and justice services, supportive housing, and acute mental health inpatient beds. This presentation will focus on new investments in
Health-care system failed Ottawa man, judge says – CBC – 2018-02-16
An Ottawa judge released a mentally ill man from custody Friday, saying he had languished in jail for five months because the healthcare system failed to find him a secure home. Justice Peter Doody of the Ontario Court of Justice
How We Got Here – The Northwest Community Mobilization Network
Over the last 12 months and beyond, the Northwest Center of Responsibility (formerly known as the NWR-HSJCC) has transitioned their HSJCCs by incorporating principles of the Hub/Situation Table model into its structure. This has led to the establishment of
Human rights-based approaches to mental health legislation and global mental health – 2018
Globally, established practice in mental health services has tended to be codified into law in ways that are paternalistic, seeking to make decisions for patients that presume ‘best interest’ and which ultimately place power in the hands of medical authority.
Impact of Veteran Status and Timing of PTSD Diagnosis on Criminal Justice Outcomes [2018]
Previous research has demonstrated that jurors show a bias towards treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present research examines this bias when jurors are faced with cases of potential malingering, in which the defendant’s claim of PTSD
Interagency collaboration models for people with mental ill health in contact with the police: a systematic scoping review [2017]
Objective To identify existing evidence on interagency collaboration between law enforcement, emergency services, statutory services and third sector agencies regarding people with mental ill health. Design Systematic scoping review. Scoping reviews map particular research areas to identify research gaps. Data
Intersectional Trauma-Responsive Care: A Framework for Humanizing Care for Justice Involved Girls and Women of Color [2019]
Previous scholarship around intersectional frameworks and theories of gendered pathways has provided an invaluable lens in which to view women’s contact with the justice system. The current theory builds from this scholarship, and sets forth an Intersectional Trauma-Responsive Framework that
Making sense of interactions between mental health and criminal justice services: the utility of cultural historical activity systems theory – 2018
Purpose Effective collaboration between mental health services (MHS) and criminal justice services (CJS) impacts on mental illness and reduces reoffending rates. This paper proposes the change laboratory model (CLM) of workplace transformation as a potential tool to support interagency collaborative
Medication state at the time of the offense: Medication noncompliance, insight and criminal responsibility – 2018
This study used a mixed quantitative‐qualitative methodology to examine whether mock jurors considered a defendant’s meta‐responsibility – specifically, the defendant’s medication noncompliance and degree of insight into his/her schizophrenia – when determining the person’s criminal responsibility. The degree of expert
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Criminal Justice System: Brief Guidance to the States [2019-03]
This brief provides guidance to state governments on increasing the availability of evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in criminal justice (CJ) settings. By including the criminal justice system as a path to treatment, states may see an increase in access to
Mental Health Diversion Program – 2015-11-17
People living with mental health symptoms or diagnosis, or a developmental disability may access alternatives to criminal prosecution. This process is known as a mental health diversion. If the Crown Attorney believes the symptoms of mental health are related to the
Mental Health Peer Navigators: Working With Criminal Justice–Involved Populations [2017]
Although peer navigators have gained traction within health care, they are still a relatively new feature of criminal justice–involved organizations. Based on data gathered from interviews, nonparticipant observations, and focus groups from a nonprofit that employs peer navigators to assist
Mental Illness Is Not a Crime – Psychology Today [2018-10-13]
There is nothing criminal about being diagnosed with mental illness. Nevertheless, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly 40% of inmates in state and federal prisons have a history of mental illness. Nearly 15% meet criteria for
Methodological limitations in the measurement and statistical modeling of violence among adults with mental illness [2019]
Objectives Methodological limitations of extant research hinder the development of effective violence risk screening, assessment, and management strategies for adults with mental illness. This study quantifies the effects of three common limitations: (a) insensitive measurement of violence that results in
Mobilizing Communities, Preventing Harm – The North West Community Mobilization Network – 2019-11-05
This presentation will provide an overview of the Northwest Regional Centre of Responsibility (formerly the Northwest Regional HSJCC). It will explain how the Kenora Rainy River District HSJCC and Northwest Regional HSJCC integrated principles of the Hub/Situation Table model into
Moral Challenges for Psychologists Working in Psychology and Law [2018]
States have an obligation to protect themselves and their citizens from harm, and they use the coercive powers of law to investigate threats, enforce rules and arbitrate disputes, thereby impacting on people’s well-being and legal rights and privileges. Psychologists as
Narratives of illness and offending: mentally disordered offenders’ views on their offending [2018]
Narratives have been used in both the sociology of health and illness and in criminology to examine how groups of people present themselves in moral terms. This article focuses on the narratives of offenders with mental health problems in England
Navigating the Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems – 2015-11-17
The mental health and criminal justice systems map – which aims to assist individuals who have come into contact with the law, their friends and family, and service providers, in navigating the two systems – will be outlined. Local and Regional
Offenders living with mental illness: How are they perceived by future professionals? – 2018-02
Summary This study investigates the attitudes of Criminal Justice and Social Work majors toward offenders living with mental illness. Multivariate regression analyses were used to explore differences in attitudes between student majors, controlling for factors such as age, race, and
Older Adults and the Justice System – 2019-11-04
For the first time ever, there are more Canadians aged 65 and older than Canadians below age 15. All areas of the justice system are encountering the older adult population daily and with increasing frequency. Many of these cases pertain
Organizational structure, climate, and collaboration between juvenile justice and community mental health centers: implications for evidence-based practice implementation for adolescent substance use disorder treatment [2020]
BackgroundSubstance use disorders are prevalent among youth involved with the criminal justice system, however, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment is often unavailable to this population. The goal of this study was to identify barriers to effective implementation of evidence-based practices
Outcome of serious violent offenders with psychotic illness and cognitive disorder dealt with by the New South Wales criminal justice system – 2018
Background: The few studies of the recidivism by people with psychotic illness and cognitive disorder who are convicted of serious violent offences and sentenced by the courts. Method: Re-imprisonment data were obtained for 661 individuals convicted of serious non-lethal violent
Predicting program success for adult offenders with serious mental illness in a court ordered diversion program [2018]
Individuals with mental illnesses are disproportionately involved with the criminal justice system and are now being diverted from jails to community-based supervision. This study examines secondary data from a state hospital, mental health diversion program. Logistic regression was used to
Predicting Which Clinically Documented Incidents of Aggression Lead to Findings of Guilt in a Forensic Psychiatric Sample [2020]
This study identified factors that predicted which of 713 clinically documented incidents of aggression—threats to kill, assault, or sexual assault—committed by 404 forensic psychiatric patients were linked to court findings of guilt. Individuals had, on average, 1.7 aggressive incidents and
Prevalence of mental disorders among all justice-involved: A population-level study in Canada [2019]
More than 10 million people are imprisoned around the world, with many more who encounter the justice system. However, most studies examining the mental health burden in the justice system have examined only incarcerated individuals, with few looking at both
Principles of Community-based Behavioral Health Services for Justice-involved Individuals: A Research-based Guide [2019-03]
This guide provides information and practices that behavioral health providers can implement in their daily practice with patients or clients who are involved in the criminal justice system. Find the guide here Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationMarch 2019
Psychiatric Disorders and Crime in the US Population: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III [2019]
Objective: Current knowledge regarding the intersection of psychiatric disorders and crime in the United States is limited to psychiatric, forensic, and youth samples. This study presents nationally representative data on the relationship of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders, comorbid substance and mental
Psychopathic costs: a monetization study of the fiscal toll of psychopathy features among institutionalized delinquents – 2017-12
Purpose That psychopathy imposes substantial societal costs and economic burden is axiomatic, but monetization studies have overlooked cost estimates of the disorder. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a near census of institutionalized delinquents from Missouri,
Recovery, desistance, and the role of procedural justice in working alliances with mentally ill offenders: a critical review [2019]
Recovery and desistance in mentally ill offenders can be more complicated than in respectively general psychiatric or offender populations due to factors and processes on individual, contextual and structural levels. In this paper we focus on a specific element of
Reliability and Validity of START and LSI-R Assessments in Mental Health Jail Diversion Clients [2017]
Risk assessment instruments are increasingly used in mental health jail diversion programs. This study examined the reliability and validity of Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) and Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R) assessments overall and by client race. Research
Report says B.C.’s Mental Health Act needs overhaul – 2017-12-22
British Columbia is considered the most regressive jurisdiction in Canada for mental health detention and involuntary psychiatric treatment, with many practices violating individual human rights, according to a report released by the Community Legal Assistance Society of B.C. “B.C. has
Sadly, Society is Still Misinformed When it Comes to Those Found NCR – #MindVine – 2017-07-21
I get it, it’s complicated. Mental Illness is an illness that unfortunately receives compassion only when it is convenient or easy. As a society, we get Bell Let’s Talk with all the celebrities speaking about their challenges, we have compassion
Safeguarding Rights to Liberty and Security where People with Disability are Subject to Detention and Restraint: A Rights-based Approach (Part One) [2018]
This is the first article in a two-part series that establishes a framework for evaluating law as it affects the rights to liberty and security for people with intellectual and cognitive impairments. Such laws include those which permit the detention
Self-harm in the criminal justice system: a public health opportunity – 2018-01
Self-harm is a global public health problem associated with increased morbidity, suicide risk, and premature mortality. The behaviour is more prevalent in marginalised groups, including people in prison. The burden of self-harm and suicide in prison is considerable; a study
Service provider perspectives on a focused deterrence program – 2018
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain the perspectives from social service providers that are a key component in focused deterrence programs. All focused deterrence/pulling levers programs have at least two essential elements: first, the message to the
Sharing power in criminal justice: The potential of co‐production for offenders experiencing mental health and addictions in New Zealand [2018]
Co‐production has begun to make inroads into research, policy, and practice in mental health and addictions. Little is known, however, about the role co‐production has or could have in shaping how the criminal justice system responds to mental health and
Support for Balanced Justice and Rehabilitation for Justice-Involved Veterans [2018]
Justice-involved veterans face increased behavioral health (e.g., mental health and substance abuse) issues and are more likely to be incarcerated for a violent offense compared to nonveterans. Despite the large number of veterans involved in the justice system, there is
Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities through a Justice Clinical Lens – 2019-11-04
In response to the 2016 Ombudsman of Ontario Report, the Community Networks of Specialized Care set out to create a refreshed mandate with the goal of providing individuals with high support and complex care needs access to effective and timely
Supporting People with Serious Mental Illnesses and Reducing Their Risk of Contact with the Criminal Justice System – Webinar – 2017-12-20
People who have serious mental illnesses (SMIs) are increasingly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. But as leaders in behavioral health, psychiatrists are in a unique position to address the complex needs of this population. This webinar provides an overview
Survivors of Homicide Victims and Mental Health – 2019-11-05
Family members and friends of victims of homicide violence face mental, physical, and spiritual health challenges as they learn to survive without their loved one. However, research has historically focused on perpetrators and victims of homicide violence and has neglected
System Navigation in a Complex World – SURPRISE it’s NOT Broken! 2019-11-05
System Navigation/Service Resolution regularly assembles service providers and organizational management representing a range of sectors (e.g., mental health, addictions, housing, police, family services, and other community services) to strategize on ways to meet the needs of individuals who are having
The Criminal/Legal Experiences of Individuals With Mental Illness Along the Sequential Intercept Model: An Eight-Site Study [2020]
Studies suggest that up to 44% of individuals in the criminal/legal system have a severe mental illness (SMI), and although diversion programs have been established, a significant portion still end up incarcerated. The Sequential Intercept Model is a framework designed
The effectiveness of diversion programmes for offenders using Class A drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis [2017]
Aims: To review existing evidence on effectiveness of community-based diversion programmes for Class A drug-using offenders. Methods: 31 databases were searched for studies published 1985–2012 (update search 2012–2016) involving community-based Criminal Justice System diversion of Class A drug users via
The HSJCC Network in 2018/2019 – Webinar – 2019-08-14
The HSJCC Network: 2018/2019 Every summer, the Local, Regional and Provincial HSJCCs report on the projects they have been working on over the past fiscal year. This reporting process provides us with the opportunity to reflect on everything the HSJCC
