Enhancing a Pre-Arraignment Screening Unit

• In Event: Mental Health and Competency Issues in Court

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic health needs amongst justice involved populations is well documented. Contact with the justice system can further undermine health and fracture contact with community treatment services. In response, there has been increasing attention to interventions that connect people with health needs to supportive services as an alternative to incarceration or arrest. This presentation describes preliminary outcomes from a new initiative in New York City. The enhanced pre-arraignment screening unit (e-PASU) responds to the need for rapid information on acute and chronic health problems for people who are arrested and arraigned in courts in Manhattan, New York City. Medical professionals screen every person entering the court system soon after the point of arrest and use this information to make decisions about necessary treatment and potential eligibility for diversion. This presentation will describe the advantages of conducting health assessments at the pre-arraignment phase and present preliminary findings from an evaluation of the program.

Author

• Jim Parsons, Vera Institute of Justice