Originally published in 2007, this resource offers actionable information on what jail diversion is, why it makes sense as an approach to reducing the over-incarceration of people with behavioral health needs, and how to adopt or adapt a program for the local landscape. Professionals in the criminal justice and behavioral health fields and interested community members can use this resource to learn to design, plan, implement, and evaluate a successful jail diversion program.
The topics addressed by this publication include the following:
- What jail diversion programs are and why to develop one
- Guidance on making jail diversion happen in your community
- Planning for program sustainability
- Data collection and program evaluation
The 2021 release of Practical Advice on Jail Diversion is for reference purposes only. The document has been re-branded to allow for broad distribution to the field, but the content has not been updated from the 2007 publication. Readers should view this publication as a reference resource.