California Expanding Jail-Based Early Access Stabilization Services To Reduce Treatment Delays For Felony Defendants Incompetent To Stand Trial

The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) is collaborating with county sheriff’s departments on a new program called Early Access Stabilization Services (EASS) to minimize treatment delays for incarcerated defendants charged with a felony and waiting for competency restoration services. EASS is for felony defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST) who are waiting for a forensic inpatient psychiatric bed in a DSH facility or placement in a jail-based competency treatment program. The goal is to initiate treatment at the earliest point possible for individuals on the IST waitlist, promote psychiatric stabilization, and increase an individual’s opportunity . . .