Transition Planning from Jail; Treatment Engagement, Continuity of Care, and Rearrest

Mental illness is experienced at a higher rate among incarcerated individuals than the general population. This study is one of the first assessing the association of a jail-based mental health (MH) transition planning program with continuity of care (CoC) (defined as no gap in treatment upon reentry), behavioral health treatment engagement, and rearrest. A one group pre-posttest design merged three data sources: program, community-based MH treatment, and jail data. Participants included 161 people from a Midwest metropolitan county jail. The utilization of MH treatment significantly increased after the program, particularly stabilizing services (i.e. case management). Individuals who engaged most in the program had greater odds of treatment engagement and increased odds of CoC. Time to first rearrest was delayed for those who received CoC. By providing transition planning services, jails and community-based services may increase treatment engagement and CoC, and reduce the risk and frequency of rearrest.