Research
Explore our library of research products including academic publications, reports on research and outcomes, policy briefs, videos of webinars, animations, and more. Research products are organized by initiative and/or by type, with the most recent items at the top of the list. Search by topic with the search bar at the top of the page.
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September 2021Overview of the Criminal Legal System in Michigan: Adults and YouthThis report sought to illustrate a comprehensive and objective snapshot of Michigan's adult and youth criminal/legal systems using data to provide a roadmap and baseline to assist stakeholders interested in advancing change within Michigan's adult and youth justice systems. When the authors started this project, they were aware that the lack of data would result in an incomplete picture of systems in the State. The culmination of this research and analysis confirmed just how much information is missing, and how much is unknown to the public and practitioners about Michigan's justice systems.OtherLandscape report
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September 2021Michigan Overdose Data to Action (MODA)The overdose crisis is a complex social problem that is often intertwined with criminal/legal systems. Research and support staff from several of the CBHJ initiatives worked collaboratively to generate, collect, translate, link, and analyze data regarding overdose prevention and response in Michigan. This collection of policy briefs reflects the objectives and activities completed by the CBHJ as part of the Michigan Overdose Data to Action (MODA) team, which is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Harm reductionToolkit
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September 2021Fentanyl and Drug Checking for Harm ReductionDrug checking can be done in a myriad of ways by several types of agencies or groups to decrease harm and risk associated with using substances. In a harm reduction framework, it is vital that individuals live long enough to make "any positive change" toward recovery. With the rise of Fentanyl and other even more deadly analogs in the illicit drug supply, it is increasingly important that individuals in active use have access to drug checking materials. Maya Doe-Simkins discusses various types, costs, and benefits of drug checking equipment and how these tools may be useful for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and the agencies that care for this population.Treatment ecosystemsVideo
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July 2021Lost in Transition: The Behavioral Health Needs of Veterans in Eight County JailsIn a booking sample across eight jails, this evaluative, cross-sectional study compared veterans to non-veterans by demographics, criminal/legal outcomes, behavioral health needs, and receipt of jail-based behavioral health and discharge planning services. Veterans were more likely to be male, older, to have received mental health services prior to their jail stay, and to misuse alcohol. They are less likely to have insecure housing and misuse drugs. No differences existed for length of stay in jail nor recidivism. Veterans were equally likely to receive jail-based behavioral health services, but less likely to receive discharge planning services. Practitioners in the criminal/legal and mental health systems need to collaborate and develop processes that successfully identify and link veterans to culturally-appropriate services.DiversionPublication
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July 2021Medications and RecoveryRecovery form opioid use disorder (OUD) is often a long process, with many potential roadblocks along the way. Support, understanding, and tools for growth--such as medications--are a large part of recovery for individuals with OUD, including those who come in contact with the criminal/legal system. However, opioid use disorder recovery is often limited by availability of evidence-based, research-supported medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), which aid in the success of individuals seeking recovery. Hear from MOUD expert Dr. Janis Romanik on what recovery often looks like for individuals with OUD, how MOUD assists recovery, and why success is often dependent on factors such as the length of MOUD usage.Treatment ecosystemsVideo
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June 2021Implementation of a Syringe Services Program and Law Enforcement BarriersAmple research has shown the positive benefits of syringe services programs in reducing the transmission of infectious disease, improving treatment outcomes for those with substance use disorder, and saving money in the community. Marion County, Indiana introduced its first syringe services program in April 2019 to address rising rates of Hepatitis C in the community. Despite the implementation of the syringe services program, syringe possession is a felony in Indiana, placing the program at the intersection of public health and criminal legal system. Researchers from Wayne State University’s Center for Behavioral Health and Justice have conducted quantitative and qualitative data collection to learn more about the impact of a felony possession law on the success of the syringe services program and the wellbeing of the community as a whole, with results highlighting the need to decriminalize syringe possession in Indiana.Harm reductionVideo
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June 2021Expanding naloxone distribution in county jailsAn effective method for reducing opioid overdose in the community is providing naloxone upon release from custody in county jail. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that is nearly 100% effective in reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It is often administered nasally under the common brand Narcan®, and available in an injectable form as well. While it is considered a prescription medication, there is a "standing order" in place in Michigan and many states across the nation which allows access to naloxone without an individual prescription. Naloxone is safe, carries no risk for misuse, has no effect on an individual if opioids are absent, and still works for opioids even if other substances are present. The utility and safety of naloxone makes it a simple yet lifesaving tool for reducing overdoses involving opioids.Treatment ecosystemsToolkit
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May 2021Decarceration as a strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19This Community of Practice (CoP) brings together experts to discuss the need to reduce populations to mitigate COVID-19 in jail settings and practical strategies that jails can use to implement decarceration as a strategy. Beth Huebner, Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an expert in correctional reform, joins Director Douglas Burris and Miranda Gibson. Together, they discuss their successful efforts to use a systematic case review process to reduce the jail population in the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services to assist mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among staff and detainees. The May event also provided an opportunity to continue engaging in dialogue around vaccines, including but not limited to strategies to consider when offering the vaccine to those who are justice-involved.DiversionVideo
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May 2021Assessing county-level behavioral health and justice systems with the SIMPLE scorecardThis webinar describes the Sequential Intercept Model Practices, Leadership, and Expertise (SIMPLE) Scorecard’s development, significant findings and potential to direct county-level strategic planning to improve behavioral health and justice systems. The Sequential Intercept Model has been widely used to identify and conceptualize interventions for people with serious mental illness in the criminal legal system. Researchers at Wayne State University School of Social Work’s Center for Behavioral Health and Justice designed the SIMPLE scorecard to assess behavioral health and legal policies/practices and to compare county systems over time. Improvements in pre-booking SIMPLE score points showed a reduction in the prevalence of serious mental illness among those booking into county jails.DiversionVideo
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May 2021Sequential Intercept Model Practices, Leadership and Expertise (SIMPLE) ScorecardThe Center for Behavioral Health and Justice created the SIMPLE (Sequential Intercept Model Practices Leadership, and Expertise) Scorecard to assess county-level behavioral health and justice collaborations. The scorecard could be used as an evidence-based strategic planning tool to drive behavioral health and criminal legal system change at a county level. Fifteen counties across Michigan were analyzed on a 36-point scale to measure best, promising, and evidence-based practices implemented by each county across each intercept of the sequential intercept model, their leadership and their expertise.DiversionScorecard