Washtenaw County aims for systems-level criminal justice reform with a new pilot program

Sustainable Development Goals and the U.S. Incarceration Rate

Introduction

While the U.S. incarceration rate recently fell to its lowest level since 1995, the nation still incarcerates a larger proportion of its population than any other country in the world. Right now, there are an estimated two million people behind bars—representing a 500 percent increase over the past 40 years.

Racial Inequalities in Jail Population

Stark racial inequalities also exist within our jail population. For example, Black Americans make up 38 percent of those incarcerated, while only representing 12 percent of the general population.

Behavioral Health Needs in the Criminal Justice System

Furthermore, many of the individuals behind bars have behavioral health needs. Nearly 68 percent of people in jail have a diagnosable substance use disorder, while the prevalence of mental illness is typically two to four times higher among those in jails than the general population.

Factors Contributing to the Current Situation

A multitude of historic events—harsher penalties for drug offenses, greater use of life sentences, closure of numerous state psychiatric hospitals, and use of policies that disproportionately affect communities of color and persons of lower socioeconomic status—have all contributed to the nation’s current situation.

Progress and Strategies for Reducing Jail Populations

However, there’s been progress in recent years, as many communities have sought to reduce their jail populations through new, evidence-based practice and policy changes. One strategy involves changes to community law enforcement and early interventions that reach people before they become entangled with the criminal justice system—particularly for lower-level offenses where those arrested are typically not considered a threat to public safety.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection (LEADD)

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection (LEADD) is a law-enforcement intervention designed to provide officers with alternatives to citation, arrest, and incarceration. And it’s currently in its pilot phase in Washtenaw County.

Reaching People Early to Determine Their Needs

LEADD is a “pre-booking diversion” initiative that connects individuals with unmet needs to a community-based case manager who then connects them to resources—instead of using the traditional criminal justice system as a first option. Needs can include housing, employment, treatment—or sometimes something as basic as getting a state-issued ID.

Implementation and Collaboration

LEADD is implemented by Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton’s vision to provide an essential “front-end services component” of the county’s Continuum Of Services and Sanctions Model. It involves collaboration between the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, the county’s Prosecuting Attorney and Public Defender, and McLain and Winters Law Firm.

Pilot Program and Initial Results

LEADD currently operates in the Ypsilanti Township zip codes of 48197 and 48198. Since October 2021, 16 deputies and sergeants have been trained in LEADD. WCCMH has also hired two case managers who directly work with LEADD participants. So far, the program has made 35 social contact referrals and has 10 active participants.

Client-Directed Approach and Positive Developments

LEADD is client-directed and based on a person’s personal goals. It supports individuals in reducing harm to themselves and others. Some initial cases have shown positive developments, with participants engaging in the program due to its collaborative nature.

Future Developments and Evaluation

As the program progresses, there are plans to build a community leadership team for input and conduct an evaluation to analyze the program’s effectiveness. Washtenaw County’s LEADD program is part of a national initiative toward diversion and deflection.

Conclusion

LEADD in Washtenaw County is an innovative approach to reducing jail populations and addressing the behavioral health needs of individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. It promotes collaboration among various stakeholders and aims to improve outcomes for participants.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.
• Indicator for SDG 3.4: Mortality rate attributed to mental disorders.
• Indicator for SDG 10.3: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: washtenaw.org

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