Diverting people from jail when appropriate

Jail Diversion Center

Harris County opened the Judge Ed Emmett Mental Health Diversion Center (Jail Diversion Center) in September 2018. This is a prearrest/pre-charge program for individuals committing low-level, nonviolent offenses when it is believed mental illness and/or psychosocial issues were a factor in the commission of the crime. These individuals are diverted from jail to the Jail Diversion Center. No criminal charges are filed. The goal is to provide behavioral health treatment to the individual rather than incarceration.

J A I L D I V E R S I O N D A T A

 There was a 50% reduction in subsequent bookings after participants were diverted to the Jail Diversion Center (JDC)

 Those diverted with 5+ bookings were 3.1 times less likely to be booked into jail on a new offense than those not served at the JDC

 For every $1 spent on diversion, the county avoided spending $5.54 on criminal justice costs

Cite and Release

Texas passed legislation in 2007 giving peace officers the authority to issue a citation for a narrow selection of Class A and B misdemeanors rather than arresting the individual. The citation is an order to appear in court. The person is still held accountable for the crime. The program eliminates the arrest and short incarceration of the individual who would be out on bail in a day or two. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office implemented the program, Cite and Release, in February 2020. Crimes involving violence, individuals with warrants, or individuals with a history of criminality are not eligible for the program. The program saves the county money, returns deputies to the field quicker, and eliminates the costly short-term incarceration of individuals innocent until proven guilty.

Source: The Judge Ed Emmett Mental Health Diversion Center Final Report, Brian Lovins, PhD, Justice System Partners, September 2020

 820 people visited the JDC in 2020 making 1133 visits

 76% of those brought to the JDC in 2020 were homeless. The homeless represented 79% of visits. 18% were subsequently placed in housing.

 31% stayed at the program long enough to have a medical/psychiatric visit as part of their stay. 39% were engaged in the aftercare program and received mental health services as a result. 32% were linked to some

Harris Center outpatient or residential service.

 Using the cost benefits analysis conducted by Brian Lovins, Ph.D. of

Justice Systems Partners, each visit to the JDC saves $9,622 in cost offset (or cost avoidance of law enforcement, jail, and court costs). Applying that figure to this sample: $9,622 x 1,133 visits = $10,901,726 in costs avoided.

Source: Dr. Scott Hickey, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.

2020 Data for the Cite and Release Program

Citations Issued by Agency

40%

The Houston Police Department issued 110 citations which is 40% of the total issued.

10%

The Pasadena

Police Department

issued 27 citations which is 10% of the total issued. The Harris County

Sheriff’s Office

issued 130 citations which is 48% of the total issued.

48%

Harris County Precinct One and Precinct Five Constables’ Offices

issued three and two citations respectively which is 2% of the total issued.