Adrienne Sanchez, J.D.’s Post

In our latest post on The Arc, we explore the key pillars that help us in #RedefiningSafety: 🤝 Mental health support: Linking people with untreated mental health needs to long-term care in the community—whether or not they have a criminal case—is crucial to lasting public safety. 🛑 Addressing violence: By changing neighborhood norms and training respected members of the community as first responders to defuse conflicts, we can stop the spread of gun violence without adding to the harms of the system. 🛠️ Prioritizing local solutions: We have to rethink our responses to crime by offering people who have been arrested meaningful opportunities for change through community-based services. 📣 Community empowerment: We must place residents themselves at the center of the decisions and policies that impact their communities. That means supporting local, collective decision-making in everything. Read more about our approaches on The Arc today and let us know your thoughts in the comments below: https://bit.ly/3TOvRq8 #Justice #Innovation #PublicSafety

Guest Opinion on Public Safety, Justice, and Mental Health I joined three other District Attorneys in addressing the lack of mental health services and its impact on community safety. Our state must address the backlog of cases at the State Hospital and change current law so that when a court finds someone “permanently incompetent” it triggers admission and care at a mental health facility – not simply a release back into the community without medication or treatment. Also, we must significantly increase support for existing mental health programs - Our successful diversion programs, mental health courts, and alternative sentencing facilities could be expanded with more support from the state. #mentalhealthmatters #publicsafety #justice #reform https://lnkd.in/gHDCPjfv

People with mental illness are over 10 times as likely to experience use of force in interactions with law enforcement than those without mental illness. In an effort to find safer alternatives to policing, Colorado’s Clear Creek County recently joined a growing list of U.S. communities that respond to nonviolent mental health crises with civilians instead of police. While these initiatives have spread rapidly and laid a foundation for a nonpunitive public safety ecosystem across the U.S., their scope still varies considerably. Police are involved in too many situations that they are ill-equipped to handle, and it is time to shift to civilian-first responders who truly keep us safe. https://ow.ly/FJn750PH1XQ

Competency delays impact more than high-profile cases—people face months in jail for low-level crimes. WellPower’s Community Based Enhanced Restoration (CBER) program in Denver is addressing this issue. Our competency diversion program seeks to dismiss cases for those found incompetent multiple times, providing immediate help and long-term stability through mental health support and housing solutions. With the justice system overwhelmed, initiatives like these are crucial. https://lnkd.in/gf7Qw2h4

“We need more research [on] … people who have gone through these pipelines. They’re being referred and diverted from the criminal justice system. What are their outcomes when they’re on the other side?” –CCJ Senior Fellow Thaddeus Johnson in WORLD https://lnkd.in/gg8ZqjPP Calls to shift certain police functions to other agencies and organizations – or pair healthcare responders with officers in the field - have increased in recent years, with the goal of reducing police use of force during encounters with people undergoing a mental health crisis. CCJ’s Task Force on Policing examined the research on crisis intervention teams and other co-responder models and public safety partnerships. Check out the group’s conclusions and guidance for jurisdictions: https://lnkd.in/gA8ZRH3

Mental health providers play a crucial role in the criminal justice system and social order. They are actively involved in all stages, from arrest to release, and are committed to treating inmates, ex-offenders, and victims of crime. Featured speakers and guests will explore the intersections of psychiatric illness, professional responsibility, and public policy in Maryland, focusing on mental health providers in court, juvenile crime and justice, and the treatment of inmates and victims. You don't want to miss this topic! Learn about Mental Health and Criminal Justice while receiving 3 hours of continuing education credits for Maryland licensure. To learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/dGHwu7HF #BrookLane #ContinuingEducation

Friends, Meet Nevada Sanchez and Sean Martin, the unarmed heroes of southeast Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite the city's challenges with #violent crime and police shootings, these two individuals are rewriting the script on #crisisintervention. Armed only with their voices and quick thinking, Sanchez and Martin navigate through tense situations, specializing in de-escalation tactics for those in mental health or #substanceabuse crises. Their mission? To offer help, not handcuffs. Albuquerque is at the forefront of a nationwide movement, redirecting emergency response away from law enforcement toward civilian-led initiatives. With programs like the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) department, change is happening. It's not about replacing police, but reimagining public safety. With the support of organizations like the Vera Institute and forward-thinking leaders like Mayor Tim Keller, ACS is poised to double in size, answering more calls and meeting the growing demand for compassionate, effective #crisisresponse. Read the full article and let's continue to support initiatives like ACS, because in a world of chaos, empathy and understanding can be the greatest tools of all. Ambassador Michelle Boone-Thornton, Ed.D The UnMasking Guru #ChangeIsPossible #CommunityFirst #AlbuquerqueStrong #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) https://lnkd.in/enU3QHPU

The intricacies of mental health in community corrections are unveiled in this reprinted article from Advancing Corrections, Issue 15 (2023). The original article features three IACFP student members who worked as research assistants on the IACFP "Mental Health in Community Corrections: International Perspectives" project—Sonya McLaren, Carleton Morrow; Teresa Brasio-McLaughlin, University of Glasgow; and Emilie G., Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The research underscores the intricate connections between mental health, community integration, and successful reentry. By delving into the complexities of mental health in community corrections, this study lays the groundwork for future research and provides valuable insights to shape policies and practices supporting justice-involved individuals with mental health needs. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3MdYVmc

How can 📞988 improve crisis response? Last year, federal agencies convened law enforcement & behavioral health leaders to develop a unified strategy that would help ensure that people experiencing a crisis receive adequate care tailored to their needs. This collaboration was aimed at creating clear protocols for when to direct calls to 988 over 911, improving response times, and connecting people to appropriate mental health services. Additionally, the discussions emphasized the need for cross-training and the development of trust among different agencies to effectively integrate 988 into the existing emergency response framework. #MHAM To read more about the convening and the shared opportunity of 988, check out: https://lnkd.in/edc8p3Jg

As someone who values mental health advocacy, it's heartening to see Doña Ana County taking steps to divert individuals with mental health issues from the criminal justice system. By expanding their efforts in this area, they are addressing a critical need and promoting a more compassionate approach to mental health care. #mentalhealth, #justice, #advocacy, #communitycare, #compassion, #leadership, #mentalhealthawareness, #criminaljustice, #wellbeing, #inclusion https://vist.ly/3erpr