Research

• February 2022

  Perception of Resource Allocations to Address the Opioid Epidemic

  Despite billions of dollars spent on opioid policy initiatives, public knowledge of evidence-based policies to reduce opioid-related morbidity remain low. Consequences of this knowledge gap for support of initiatives remains understudied. Our objective was to evaluate how participants with and without lived experience allocate funding for initiatives to address the opioid epidemic. A secondary objective was to collect proof-of-concept data of an informational intervention designed to improve support for evidence-based policies.

  Harm reduction

  Publication
• February 2022

  Administrative jail release during COVID-19

  Since 1991, administrative jail release (AJR) has been regularly utilized to address jail overcrowding by accelerating the release process for some individuals in the Wayne County Jail. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, criteria for AJR was expanded in order to decrease transmission in the jail facilities and to prioritize individuals with serious medical conditions that would be more vulnerable to contracting the virus. A committee of stakeholders including judges, prosecutors, attorneys representing detainees at large1, and jail medical staff was formed at the start of pandemic to review releases.

  Wayne County jail/mental health initiative

  Policy brief
• February 2022

  Evaluation of Administrative Jail Release Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  As COVID-19 ripped through the country in March 2020, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the Detroit Police Department were some of the first local organizations to experience devastating contagion and loss from the virus. Recognizing that Wayne County Jails had the potential to become a COVID-19 superspreading site, Chief Judge Timothy Kenny of the Third Circuit Court took extraordinary measures to protect the health and safety of Wayne County Jail inmates and staff.

  Wayne County jail/mental health initiative

  Report
• February 2022

  Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Criminal/Legal System: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes Among Rural Community-Based Stakeholders

  The aim of this study was to describe rural community stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions of providing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to individuals in the criminal/legal system. Data were utilized from a technical assistance initiative aimed at strengthening community-based OUD treatment within criminal/legal systems. MOUD training was associated with endorsing the effectiveness of methadone, oral naltrexone, and injectable naltrexone. Three primary themes emerged from the stakeholder interviews: 1) acceptance of MOUD uptake; 2) stigma of MOUD and diversion concerns; and 3) gaps in MOUD treatment. Most interviewees noted that there is a scarcity of treatment options in their community, and among the existing services, there are considerable barriers to care.

  Treatment ecosystems

  Publication
• February 2022

  Developing a cascade of care for opioid use disorder among individuals in jail

  The overdose epidemic persists as a public health crisis in the United States. Jails are a critical overdose prevention touchpoint. Administrative data including screening, booking, and medication information were used to develop a cascade-of-care. Screening rates varied dramatically by facility, with integration into the jail records management system showing the best outcomes. The prevalence of OUD identified from the RODS was 8.1% and did not vary significantly by facility. Nearly one third (31.3%) of those identified as having an OUD were dispensed medications, with two-thirds receiving methadone and the remaining third buprenorphine. The average length of stay for all screened individuals was two weeks, compared to two months for those who received an MOUD.

  Treatment ecosystems

  Publication
• February 2022

  Jail and overdose: assessing the community impact of incarceration on overdose

  This study examined the overall impact of jail incarceration on overdose, the specific hazard for those booked on a syringe-related charge and the proportion of all overdose decedents in the community who were in the jail prior to death. A cohort study of fatal overdose outcomes among a sample of individuals booked into and released from jail between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019 in Marion County, Indiana. Of all overdose deaths in the county, 21% had been in the county jail within 2 years prior to their death. Each prior booking increased the hazard of mortality by approximately 20%, while the presence of a syringe charge at most recent booking prior to release more than tripled the hazard of mortality.

  Harm reduction

  Publication
• January 2022

  Understanding Procedures for Behavioral Health in Carceral Settings

  Carceral settings differ from typical behavioral health settings in organizational structure, associated security measures, and overall goals. It is important for providers to understand how to gain access to facilities, provide services aligned with security protocols, and communicate effectively to develop long-lasting, high-quality partnerships that ensure people receive the services they need while incarcerated. Similarly, correctional facilities should understand the rules and regulations that providers must follow to ensure their patients' needs are met and that high quality services are provided. Together, service providers and correctional facilities can work in harmony to maintain security and provide people with high quality behavioral health services during incarceration. Speakers include Captain Julie Massengill, Jail Administrator, Monroe County Sheriff's Office; Adam Anastasoff, Jail Diversion Supervisor, Monroe Community Mental Health Authority; Renee Casey, Director of Community Corrections Services, Washtenaw County; Captain Lindsay Cole, Jail Administrator, Kent County Sheriff.

  Treatment ecosystems

  Video
• January 2022

  Interdisciplinary Partnerships Series: Center for Behavioral Health and Justice

  This webinar is part four of the Interdisciplinary Partnership Series hosted by the Mental Health Diversion Council Mental Health Partnership and Collaboration Webinar Series. Topics covered in this webinar include: overview and history of the Center of Behavioral Health and Justice, examination of Michigan’s crisis response systems, the Stepping Up, initiative and the County Data Dashboard.

  Diversion

  Crisis response

  Video
• December 2021

  Crisis event dispositions following a crisis response team intervention

  Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019, the CRT self-dispatched to mental/behavioral health-related 9-1-1 calls. Most CRT events involved persons who were White, male, and an average of 39.3 years old. Most crises were mental health, followed by self-harm, and substance use. Events were generally resolved at the scene; over a quarter resulted in immediate detention, followed by voluntary transport, and arrest. Crisis type was a significant predictor of event dispositions. Homelessness was also a significant predictor of arrest.

  Harm reduction

  Crisis response

  Publication
• December 2021

  Michigan statewide emergency dispatch survey

  This brief is the result of a partnership between the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ), the National Emergency Number Association, and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. In 2021, the CBHJ administered an online survey (N=114) to Public Service Telecommunicators (PSTs) to understand the state's emergency dispatch system. Included here are the survey findings and recommendations to improve crisis response through dispatch.

  Crisis response

  Policy brief