Unique Aftercare Program Helps Felons with Addiction Problems February 26, 2001
News Summary
An innovative program in Chicago, Ill., has shown positive results in reducing jail and hospital costs for felony offenders with serious mental illness and addiction problems, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly reported Jan. 22.The program, which was implemented in 1997, provides offenders who have a history of repeated arrests and hospitalizations with assertive community treatment (ACT) services. The program, run by Thresholds, a psychiatric rehabilitation program, includes medication monitoring, housing, transportation, and money management.
Under the program, offenders are guided through court proceedings and hospital stays via a continuum of care aimed at keeping them functioning within the community.
According to a two-year study conducted on the program, jail time and hospital stays for felons with mental illness and addiction problems declined 80 to 90 percent, resulting in nearly $1 million in savings for state hospitals and $250,000 for the Cook County Jail.
"The results that we have show that it does work with a very difficult population," said John Fallon, demonstration projects coordinator at Thresholds.
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: