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Fall 2004 Conference The Criminal Justice Policy Coalition is pleased to announce plans for a conference and /or speaker series addressing the over-incarceration of people with mentally illness and those addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We invite your feedback and participation as we fine-tune the topic and develop our plans. We hope to learn of ways in which our members might help. The CJPC has committed a considerable share of its current resources to fund the work of our project coordinator, Patrice Brymner, and we seek supplemental funding or other assistance to bring greater attention to the issues. Many organizations work diligently everyday to serve directly or indirectly the communities affected by the issues in question. These organizations have much needed knowledge and energy, talented and available staff, and often access to membership. The CJPC hopes that interested and able organizations will help. Over-Incarceration of People with Mental Illness and/or Addiction The “wars” on drugs and crime and the failed “de-institutionalization” of our mentally ill, have resulted in the over-incarceration of people with mental illnesses and addictions, proving costly in tax dollars and in the devastation of lives and communities. As the state grapples with ongoing funding cuts and seeks alternatives to past policies and practices, an opportunity exists to shape much needed policy changes and divert mentally ill and addicted offenders to treatment and away from incarceration. Alternatives to incarceration must be sought in order to decrease continually increasing prison costs while pursuing more humane, holistic, and comprehensive solutions. Seeking Humane and Effective Treatment of the Mentally Ill and Addicted The CJPC exists, in large part, to address criminal justice policies that disproportionately effect the poor, minorities, and other vulnerable groups. At this time, we are particularly concerned about the high levels of incarceration of people with mental illness and addiction, and seek to promote policies that ensure the humane and effective treatment of these groups. We have identified the following goals as areas of focus for shaping our work: § Preventing the arrest of the mentally ill or addicted offender, or would-be offender § Seeking alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness and/or addictions § Decreasing continually increasing prison costs while pursuing more humane, holistic, and comprehensive treatment within the states jails and prisons § Providing meaningful and continuing post-release treatment and services in order to reduce recidivism rates among the mentally ill and addicted population We hope to disseminate facts and provide insights into problems faced under existing policies. We also want to share good news about current corrective efforts and create greater consensus on policy changes moving forward. Efforts are being made to better address the problems and real alternatives are emerging in the form of police and court education, as well as arrest and jail diversion. Funding sources do exist for diversion programs and some communities have implemented pilot diversion programs at the street and/or court level. Federal funding may become available to increase post-release services. However, the state currently has no comprehensive program, and efforts are not yet fully coordinated; current corrective actions and proposals for change need greater attention. Hopefully, our event, or events, will draw an audience including legislators and those within the Romney administration who seek “smart,” not just “tough,” crime policy. We know from our involvement in past events that in concert with other organizations we can link diverse, concerned groups and build greater direction and energy for change. We look forward to your input as we prioritize our agenda and decide how best to address the topics already identified in our preliminary discussions with NAMI, MOAR, and NASW. Please feel free to contact Patrice Brymner, project coordinator, at [email protected] or 978-897-1775 with questions or feedback. |
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