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Perceived coercion among jail diversion participants in a multisite study
Karen J Cusack1, Henry J Steadman, Amy H Herring
1Department of Psychiatry and Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 356 Medical School Wing C, CB 7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. kcusack@schsr.unc.edu
Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.)
|September 3, 2010
Summary
One-third of individuals in jail diversion programs reported perceived coercion. However, this coercion did not impact engagement in mental health services, suggesting program effectiveness is maintained despite participant feelings.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Mental Health Services Research
- Criminology
Background:
- Jail diversion programs aim to provide mental health services to incarcerated individuals.
- Little is known about participant perceptions of coercion in these programs.
- Understanding coercion is crucial for evaluating program effectiveness and participant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess perceived coercion among participants in postbooking jail diversion programs.
- To identify characteristics associated with perceived coercion.
- To examine the impact of perceived coercion on mental health service engagement.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of interview data from 905 jail diversion participants (2003-2005).
- Utilized random-effects proportional odds models for statistical analysis.
- Included a 12-month follow-up for a subset of participants (N=398).
Main Results:
- 36% of participants reported moderate to high levels of perceived coercion.
- Drug charges were linked to lower perceived coercion; sexual abuse history (without substance abuse) to higher coercion.
- Perceived coercion at baseline did not predict behavioral health service use at 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of jail diversion participants experience perceived coercion.
- Charge type, jail time, and history of sexual abuse are key determinants of perceived coercion.
- Perceived coercion does not appear to hinder engagement with mental health treatment.
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