NCJ Number
206433
Date Published
May 2003
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This interim report describes the ongoing process of identifying and selecting "dangerous mentally ill offenders" (DMIO's) under the provisions of Washington State's DMIO law; profiles DMIO's; describes the type of prerelease and postrelease services, treatment, and supervision received by DMIO's; documents improvements that have been achieved; and identifies continuing program challenges.
Abstract
Washington State's DMIO law (SSB 5011) was enacted in 1999 to improve the process of identifying mentally ill offenders who are being released from the Department of Corrections and pose a continuing threat to public safety. The purpose of identifying DMIO's is to provide them with additional treatment and services for up to 5 years after they are released into the community. A DMIO is defined in the legislation as a person who has a mental disorder and has been professionally diagnosed as dangerous to himself/herself or others. The law assigns the responsibility for DMIO treatment and support-service planning and delivery to a team of representatives from appropriate agencies. This planning team is charged with recommending whether a DMIO should be referred for evaluation under State mental health involuntary treatment laws or receive voluntary or supervised treatment in the community. If treated in the community, a DMIO is assigned a mental health case manager, who is responsible for obtaining all necessary services and treatment. This interim report concludes that the process of identifying and selecting DMIO's has improved significantly since 2002, and the computer program used by the Department of Corrections (DOC) to identify candidates continues to be improved. DMIO's are receiving prerelease and postrelease services as envisioned by the legislation. A much higher proportion of DMIO's are receiving services compared with a comparison group of mentally ill offenders released from prison for the 2 years prior to the implementation of the DMIO law. The services are also of greater intensity. The DOC continues to work on improving linkages with State hospitals, community providers, and jails to assist in identifying DMIO candidates as early as possible. Remaining challenges are to encourage more Mental Health Regional Support Networks to participate in the Mental Health Division of the Department of Social and Health Services, as well as to develop resources such as housing and medical care. 18 exhibits and appended legislative research questions, Statewide Review Committee's (SRC's) mental disorder and dangerousness criteria, SRC's DMIO checklist, and a list of major prison infractions