Prison Diversion Programs
Prison diversion programs are becoming increasingly popular as a result of growing substance usage among members of society who end up committing crimes while under the influence of drugs. Because most criminals are nonviolent drug users, incarceration is superfluous and ineffective, and only diversion programs can properly rehabilitate them (Crisanti, Case & Steadman et al., 2014). Furthermore, the popularity of jail diversion programs is due to the United States having the highest rates of incarceration with 25% of the world's prisoners, 60% of whom have substance use or problem, and 20% of whom have mental difficulties. Therefore, there is overcrowding in prison and, the numbers can be reduced with jail diversion programs.
Inclusions into the Jail Diversion Programs
To be able to have positive results such as reduction in substance use and improved functioning and quality of life from the jail diversion programs, there is the need to know the evaluation of subjects in the jail diversion programs by understanding the predictors of attrition. Follow up should be made mandatory to understand the status of the individuals in the program to assess whether they are improving or not. It is challenging to conduct follow up activities when the program participants are difficult to get in touch with due to geographical remoteness, homelessness or other issues (Crisanti, Case & Steadman et al., 2014). As part of the post-booking jail diversion programs, there is the need to have compulsory and regular follow-ups for individual improvement assessment.
Effective Intervention Strategies
Effective realization of progress in the jail diversion progress requires efficient intervention strategies for the program participants. The intervention strategies may involve changing the location of the subjects be it the drug user or the mentally ill offender to a different environment from the ones they were used to such as shelter, provide financial assistance among others. The intervention strategies should include availing medical care, motivational interviewing, and regulating the emotions of the participants in the jail diversion program (Cuddeback, Wright & Bisig, 2013). Through managing mood disorders and addressing trauma, compliance and reduced substance use will be realized from the participants of the program.
References
Cuddeback, G. S., Wright, D., & Bisig, N. G. (2013). Characteristics of participants in jail diversion and prison reentry programs: Implications for forensic ACT. Psychiatric services, 64(10), 1043-1046.
Crisanti, A. S., Case, B. F., Isakson, B. L., & Steadman, H. J. (2014). Understanding study attrition in the evaluation of jail diversion programs for persons with serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 41(6), 772-790.
