Title
Authorizing Council's Committees on the Disabled and Special Needs and Public Safety to hold joint public hearings investigating the barriers faced by people with serious mental health issues who are transitioning from incarceration to the Philadelphia community.
Body
WHEREAS, United States jails and prisons house approximately 2.5 million people. Of those in the system, 95 % will be released after mostly serving 12 months or less behind bars and with significant reentry challenges. Additionally, two-thirds of the population will end up getting re-incarcerated within three years after their release; and
WHEREAS, People with psychiatric disabilities are at a disproportionately greater risk for involvement in the criminal justice system compared to the general population. While 6% of U.S. adults have a psychiatric disability, 15% of men, and 31% of women entering jails are believed to have a psychiatric disability, with illegal substance use playing a major factor in arrests; and
WHEREAS, The sudden, unpredictable nature of incarceration interferes with the maintenance of family and social relationships and the development of consistent community participation (e.g., work, school, church attendance, etc.) and ties to the community. Diminished family and social ties, and the structure provided by stable community participation, could further increase the risk of new arrests and illegal substance use, creating a vicious cycle. Innovative preventative interventions based on connecting or re-connecting people to community, including meaningful participation and family and social relationships, may not only enhance community living and participation outcomes, but also prevent further involvement in the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, Social supports have been identified as improving health outcomes, treatment compliance, quality of life, and community tenure. Individuals with mental health issues tend to have smaller and less diversified soci...
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