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Leaving Jail: Service Linkage and Community Reentry for Mothers with Co-Occurring Disorders

NCJ Number
207496
Author(s)
Joan Gillece Ph.D.
Date Published
September 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article briefly discusses strategies and programs implemented addressing the needs of justice-involved women (and mothers) with co-occurring disorders and service linkages and reentry into the community.
Abstract
Women with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders who come in contact with the criminal justice system often leave children behind. In order to break intergenerational cycles of poverty, despair, behavioral disorders, and criminal justice involvement, it is necessary for programs to be designed to meet the treatment needs of the mother and the psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs of children. In addition, jail terms are typically brief with women exiting almost as quickly as they entered; returning to society more disconnected and desperate women and mothers. Solutions must involve multi-agency approaches supporting successful reentry to the community. This article discusses various strategies and programs implemented to respond to the need of these women offenders and their children. The article describes the Maryland Community Criminal Justice Treatment Project which provides treatment and aftercare plans for inmates with mental illness, and post-release community follow-up and Maryland’s TAMAR program (Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery) which provides a full array of training and clinical services to women with co-occurring substance abuse and psychiatric disorders in jails who are traumatized by a history of physical or sexual abuse. Strategies implemented to address the needs of women in jail with co-occurring disorders include: (1) coordination of local multi-agency response; (2) establish an interagency coordinating council; (3) involvement of consumers and advocates; (4) develop a memorandum of understanding; (5) encourage cross training; (6) develop gender-specific treatment; (7) develop interagency reentry planning; (8) provide case management mentors; and (9) apply for assistance.