Reducing Recidivism In Prisons

People who suffer from mental health issues, especially those who are poor, homeless, suffering from substance abuse issues are often unable to receive the mental health treatment they need (Jones, 2007). With mental health treatment left untreated many of the people will recidivate. There are approximately 600,000 men and women released from prison annually and approximately one-sixth of the prison population is receiving mental health treatment (Jones, 2007). In the New York City jails, there are approximately 25,000 mentally ill inmates released every year (Jones 2007). Seventy-five to eighty percent of who also suffer from drug or alcohol addiction (Jones, 2007).
The process by which inmates are provided assistance in an effort to hopefully reduce recidivism is known as the Discharge Planning Program. The program is designed to help inmates connect to mental health treatment and a means to pay for it (Jones 2007). The program is also able to assists with housing, shelter placement, gaining access to government assistance, and reuniting with family and friends (Urban Justice Center, 2017).
Discharge Planning has many benefits. Mentally ill inmates benefit
At the time of the Brad H lawsuit, there were approximately 8,250 potential class members receiving mental health treatment at Rikers Island, Elmhurst Hospital, and Bellevue’s Prison Ward (Jones, 2007). Brad H was the first ever class action lawsuit brought against a correctional system demanding discharge planning for the mentally ill inmates (Jones, 2007). The lawsuit leads to a comprehensive discharge planning system that would allow mentally ill inmates to reintegrate into society with appropriate support and services (Jones, 2007). The system of discharge planning is laid out in the stipulation of settlement following the Brad H