Priority Conditions
Adolescence HIV positive Chemical Dependency Frail or Elderly Emergent/Chronic Medical Concerns Mental Illness (chronic/acute) Pregnancy Developmental Disabilities
Once a release date is established, the Release Planner and patient collaborate on a plan for re- entry back into the community. This can include setting up benefits, medical appointments, nursing care, crisis respite, coordinating mental health and chemical dependency treatment and linkage to community re-entry case managers.
Release Planning utilizes a client centered approach that focuses on harm reduction while using motivational techniques. Case loads permitting, Release Planners engage with inmates over multiple jail stays. This acknowledges the long road to recovery and need for re-assessment and modification of a treatment plan as a patient makes progress towards their commitment to change and need for services.
A key component of re-entry is ensuring that patients have linkages to provider(s) in the community. Whenever possible, a direct hand-off to a community provider is coordinated so the patient has a direct linkage to services upon release. If time does not allow for extensive service coordination, patients are given community resource information to address their needs. This includes resource information for employment, emergency services and shelters, housing, medical clinics, mental health agencies, benefits, chemical dependency treatment information, and domestic violence perpetrator and survivor resources.
While in custody, the Release Planner completes a full psycho-social assessment to assist in identifying areas that are in need of intervention. This assessment assists in identifying the level of symptom severity, co-occurring disorders, commitment to treatment, decision-making processes, social skill deficits, functioning levels, interpersonal difficulties, cognitions, and behavior associated with criminal behavior.
Many of our patients are involved with multiple systems, and successful re-entry back into the community requires a high level of coordination among these agencies. Re-entry also requires making appropriate community referrals that meet patient needs, levels of functioning, legal requirements, and motivation for treatment. Jail Health Release Planning provides re-entry services through accurate needs assessment, coordination of care, and linkage to community services.
Offender Reentry Plan March 2011
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Appendix D: King County Community Corrections