Mental Health, Drug Use, and Programming: Applying a Needs Assessment Framework in Arkansas' Largest Jail.

Jail programming is rarely informed by site-specific health needs, diagnostic-specific screening tools that are validated, or the input of incarcerated individuals. Using the community needs assessment (CNA) framework, we aimed to fill these gaps among people incarcerated in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (PCRDF), Arkansas' largest jail. Participants were 179 adults at the PCRDF who completed surveys and open-ended questions focused on (a) their mental and behavioral health and (b) programming needs at the facility. Using a concurrent transformative mixed-methods design, we descriptively analyzed surveys and conducted content analysis of the open-ended questions. Over half of participants reported clinically significant anxiety (62.6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (53.1%), and/or depression (50.3%) symptoms; positive substance use disorder screening was especially common (91.7%). Nearly all (97%) individuals queried desired more programming, with the most desired being mental health and substance use programs. Other desired programs included physical health, education, community reintegration, family support, recreation, nutrition, religious/spiritual services, and meditation. Our CNA ensured the input of those directly impacted during program-focused decision making and identified strategies to effectively implement and sustain jail-based programs. Such assessments can be a potential mechanism for addressing the burden of mental and behavioral health problems in jail populations.

Crisis stabilization units for jail diversion: A preliminary assessment of patient characteristics and outcomes.

Crisis stabilization units (CSUs), which offer a range of short-term psychiatric and psychological services, are one of several treatment programs that may create "alternative to arrest" options for law enforcement. Here, we examined the characteristics of the population who was referred to a newly established CSU in its first year of operation and examined the impact of the CSU on regional jail bookings. Administrative medical records and regional jail booking data were merged to form our study sample. Adults who had at least one jail booking and/or one CSU admission during our study period were included. We found that from September 1, 2018 to August 30, 2019, 458 people were admitted into the CSU. Approximately one-third (33.8%) had a jail booking during the study period. In the 3 months following CSU admission, 4.1% had an increase in jail bookings, 11.1% had a decrease, and 66.2% had no change. CSU patients self-reported high depressive and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, while also reporting low quality of life scores overall. We conclude that CSUs may be promising components of jail diversion efforts, providing critical services to populations experiencing significant mental health symptoms and who are at risk for incarceration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

An Economic Analysis of the Cost of a Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit.

Crisis stabilization units (CSUs) are one type of "alternative to arrest" program used for jail diversion. We aimed to estimate the economic costs of starting and operating a CSU in Arkansas. We estimated the economic costs of the Pulaski County Regional CSU (PCRCSU) located in Little Rock, Arkansas, from September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019. We collected data through interviews about start-up and ongoing management costs. We calculated total annual economic cost, average admission cost, and average 24 hr admission cost. There were 536 admissions to the CSU during the study period. The average length of stay was 60.27 hr. The total annual cost of the PCRCSU was $1,636,831 and average per admission cost was $3,054. Our results provide valuable economic data to government stakeholders who are considering establishing a CSU.