In response to the fact that people with mental illness who are sentenced to very short jail stays in New York City may not receive any mental health or discharge planning services, CASES launched the EXIT program in 2004. This federally-funded demonstration project provided voluntary case management services to low-level offenders with mental illness. The program showed that judges sentenced 88% of mentally ill defendants to case management services, that 69% of this population engaged in voluntary case management services, and that there was a corresponding reduction in recidivism for this group.

Based on its success, the program expanded in 2007 to become our current Transitional Case Management (TCM) program, which targets individuals with repeat misdemeanor offenses who are at risk of short-jail sentences and also have a serious mental illness. The program provides immediate case management services and linkages to address clients' mental health and substance abuse treatment needs. By intercepting individuals with mental illness in arraignments and criminal court, and supporting their integration into the local continuum of case management and treatment resources, the program supports reductions in jail days and recidivism. TCM thus provides direct assistance to participants to secure community resources with the aim of achieving improvements in psychiatric symptoms, treating substance abuse, and teaching life skills necessary for community stability and crime-free lifestyles.

Please see report on TCM services and outcomes by the Policy Research Associates (August 2012).

Screening

A clinical psychologist screens individuals in criminal court. Those found eligible for the program are then mandated by the judge to participate in a set number of case management sessions. Individuals may also enter the program voluntarily after completing the Day Custody Program.

Referrals to TCM

Services

• Assessment and service planning - complete mental health assessment and corresponding service plan developed by a CASES' licensed social worker covering immediate needs, psychiatric and substance abuse history, treatment and service needs, housing status, and community ties.
• Service referrals - linkages to appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment services, emergency shelters, long-term housing, and vocational and educational services.
• Bridging case management services - ongoing case management services following sentence completion, according to the participant's needs. These services bridge the 2-3 month period until the client is placed in ongoing mental health and community case management services.