A Justice and Mental Health Collaborative in Lubbock County, Texas

There is a tremendous need for coordinated, accessible mental health services for people with serious mental illness who are in contact, or at high risk of involvement, with the criminal justice system. Despite inadequate equipment and personnel, the Texas criminal justice system increasingly provides care for individuals with serious mental illness. Lubbock County Detention Center (LCDC) serves as a regional hub for inmate detention in rural west Texas, providing criminal justice and mental health services across a 250-mile radius. Nearly 50% of LCDC inmates have a history of mental illness. To address gaps in care for justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness, LCDC, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Starcare (a mental health regional provider) formed a justice and mental health collaborative (JMHC). JMHC first identified community organizations and collaborators who could contribute to a continuum of mental health care and services. In October 2017, JMHC received a US Department of Justice (DOJ) grant to evaluate efforts to reduce recidivism, divert individuals with serious mental illness from jail into treatment, and establish continuity of care.