Michigan Diversion Program Reduces Incarcerated Mentally Ill Offenders By 4%

Michigan's mental health jail diversion program decreased the percentage of incarcerated offenders with mental health issues from 24% in 2015 to 20% in 2017. The program has also been successful in providing mental health services to more jail-involved individuals, and reducing recidivism throughout the state.

These findings were presented in the “Michigan Mental Health Jail Diversion Council, Progress Report,” produced by the Council on January 22, 2018. The Council consists of 20 department representatives from the state, judges and other trial court personnel, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and advocates for individuals with mental illness. The Council reviewed . . .