Citation

Kubiak SP, Zeoli AM, Essenmacher L, Hanna J. Psychiatr. Serv. 2011; 62(6): 679-681.

Affiliation

Department of Social Work, Michigan State University, Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. spk@msu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.62.6.679

PMID

21632740

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed transitions to community mental health services among individuals with co-occurring disorders upon release from jail. METHODS: Data from jail and public mental health systems in Wayne County, Michigan, were merged to identify 677 individuals diagnosed as having a serious mental illness and substance use disorder who had been jailed a total of 1,774 times over 48 months starting in 2003. RESULTS: Only 33% of incarcerations (N=573) were followed by community-based treatment; 44% (N=803) were followed by treatment during a subsequent incarceration, and 23% (N=398) by no treatment. Generalized estimating equations found that individuals with schizophrenia and substance dependence were the most likely to obtain community treatment. CONCLUSION: By integrating discharge planning, community mental health providers and jails may ensure a continuum of care that facilitates treatment engagement, limits repeated incarcerations, and improves well-being.

Language: en