Nearly 20% of all jail inmates suffer from severe mental illnesses, according to The Treatment Advocacy Center, and The Shelby County Public Defender's office continues to find ways to help inmates receive help and equal representation through the nationally-recognized Jericho Project.
Often times, people with mental illness can find themselves in a cycle within the justice system. These inmates return to the criminal justice system after their original sentence at a near 80% rate, compared to 44% of those taking part in the Jericho Project.
"The goal is to connect people with severe mental illness with the mental health systems that already exist," said Bill Robilio, attorney at the public defender’s office. "We know that people linked to these services are more successful with their probation."
The project that began as a test via a federal grant has become a standard in Shelby County and has been replicated nationwide. In 2015, the efforts were recognized with the National Innovations in Criminal Justice Award by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA).
Rather than allow mentally ill inmates to serve multiple sentences, the Jericho Project works with the courts to find alternative sentences called "community linkage plans." Those accepted into the program receive treatment during and after their sentence and sometimes live at home, according to Shelby County judge Chris Craft.
"Servers live independently with medication, but they go through a rigorous program to make sure they don't take in violent people," Craft said.
The program that serves over 80 people per year offers transition services that last as long as four months. The public defender’s office has partnered with Alliance Healthcare to provide the resources needed by inmates.
Participants receive medication, therapy, housing and general guidance under supervised probation. In addition, cost is another contributor the project works to eliminate for inmates.
"They can go to Memphis Mental Health or Lakeside if they have insurance, it gets very expensive," said Craft. "Vets used to go the Veterans Affairs, but we really don't have as many veterans anymore."
On average, more mentally ill individuals can be found at a county jail than at a state's largest mental hospital. Mentally ill inmates also have an average stay in jail lasting double that of other inmates according to studies by the Treatment Advocacy Center.
About one-fourth of all Shelby County inmates are on anti-psychotic medication. They often resort to self-medication and cannot find proper help with their illness, something the public defender's office and the Jericho Project has helped with since 1996.
"We do not want to criminalize their mental illness," Robilio said. "We want to get them the services they need."
According to Robilio, the process begins with a referral by a judge, attorney or prosecutor. If the referral passes the qualifications set by the public defender’s office, it is sent to the treatment team at Alliance Healthcare, where a community linkage plan is formed.
Former Chief Public Defender Steven Bush created the project, and while science, technology and treatments have evolved in mental health studies, the structure of the project has been consistent.
"Trends have changed regarding drugging, something given to treat someone 25 years ago may not be used now," said Robilio. "But the basic structure of evaluation and linking have remained the same."
Alliance Healthcare, a partner with the project, has a clinical director, an outpatient program and many recovery support specialists. They keep in close contact with enrolled inmates, providing as much support as possible.
Roblio said the 44% recidivism rate, or percentage of inmates returning after the project, is significantly lower than national averages, despite close counting for all perpetrators.
