1. Mental Health Reentry
Improvement Initiative
PCJEI Team
Mark Carey

2. Problem Statement
 Metraux Study July 2008:
 Chances of serving maximum sentence:
– 23% = No MH services at release, but treatment
history.
– 28% = No MH services.
– 31% = Ongoing MH services.
– 51% = Intensive MH services.

3. Project Objectives
 Improve continuity of care planning for PRT,
C/D, Axis I offenders paroled/maxing with or
without Special Probation to follow.
 Increase paroling rates by improving current
practices.
 Improve supervision practices for mentally ill
offenders.

4. Focus on the PRT
 AXIS 1 C/D Stability Rating.
The most likely to serve their
maximum sentence.
 Focus on cases within 2
months of minimum review,
12 months of maximum
sentence expiration or
paroled.
 Counselor needs to
ascertain which of the above
fits the individual inmate.
PRT AXIS
1
MIN/
MAX
8363 3373 1541

5. Reentry Teams/Reentry Specialist
 Reentry Teams at SCI Waymart, Graterford,
Frackville, Cresson, Rockview and Muncy.
 Reentry Specialist at all other institutions.
– Existing staff compliment with exclusive/additional duties.
 Contacts appropriate PBPP staff and County MH
Authorities:
– ASCRA, T/C, MHU, OR MHA pending release and/or
assistance with home plan development.

6. MINIMUM CASE PREPARATION
 Home plan forwarded to MHA, MHU, or T/C
and ASCRA, if family supportive, 2 months
prior to minimum review.
 ICMA does not remove PRT designation if
Board decision is for parolee to serve
maximum sentence.

7. Parole Process/Procedure
Improvement
 Communication between DOC, PBPP and
MH providers.(Revised Reentry Checklist)
 More accurate identification of SMI inmates.
 Increase notification time for inmates that will
be maxing.
 Improve supervision practices of SMI
offenders.

8. Parole Process/Procedure
Improvement
 11,270 parolee’s currently have MH conditions imposed.
– Conditions should be specific to these cases(AXIS 1) and carefully
imposed for those not on the PRT.
 Paroling actions should allow for maximum planning flexibility.
– “Parole to Approved Mental Health Plan”.
 Misconduct resolution to look at behavior patterns.
 Parole to CCC at 6/8 months before max to ensure better
supervision and stabilization.
 Flexibility in approving home plans. I.E. Financial Support.

9. MAX-OUT
 Psych Reports, Release Treatment Plan, Full
Mental Health Info sent to county via Reentry
Checklist.
 Coordination of care via County
MHA/DOC/Parole MHA/MHU Resources if
Special Probation to follow.

10. FIELD MH SUPERVISION
 Dedicated staff are needed to deal with a
very complicated and time-consuming
caseload.
 Caseload size should be limited to no more
than 25 per agent.
 Adopt a MH Protocol that is flexible and can
account for specialized and general caseload
supervision for districts that cannot dedicate
a unit or agent.