Serious Mental Illness-Associated Socio-Medical Needs and Imprisonment Risk in Reentry Clients

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Services
• Criminology

Background:

• Transitional care programs aim to support individuals reintegrating into the community post-incarceration.
• Serious mental illness (SMI) is prevalent among incarcerated populations, yet their specific needs and risks during transitional care are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare socio-medical needs and imprisonment risks between transitional care clients with and without serious mental illness (SMI).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) Program (2018-2023).
• Clients were screened for socio-medical needs and SMI diagnoses.
• Imprisonment outcomes were assessed using administrative data, comparing cumulative and relative imprisonment risks based on SMI status.

Main Results:

• Of 759 clients, 32.9% had SMI. Clients with SMI exhibited higher rates of food insecurity, homelessness, and need for housing, disability, and legal assistance.
• Cumulative imprisonment risk at 360 and 720 days was significantly higher for clients with SMI (0.14 and 0.21) compared to those without (0.08 and 0.11).
• SMI was associated with a 1.75-fold increased risk of imprisonment (95% CI: 1.18, 2.60).

Conclusions:

• Released individuals with SMI experience a disproportionate burden of socio-medical needs and elevated imprisonment rates.
• Findings underscore the critical need for tailored interventions and support services for individuals with SMI re-entering the community.