Jail Diversion Programs: Finding Common Ground

In 1998, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded a multisite study of nine police and jail diversion programs demonstrating that pre- and post-booking diversion models can increase mental health services access and quality of life, and divert clients without risking public safety (Broner, Lattimore, Cowell, & Schlenger, 2004)., Depending on the diversion model, they can also be cost-effective (Cowell, Broner & Dupont, 2004). [...] whether approached as a way to reduce costs, improve public safety, or to save lives, mental health jail diversion pro- gram planners are likely to encounter some form of resistanoe - often from the very stakeholders and systems these programs are designed to help.