HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2015.05.21 - 21863MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION: #15146
BY: Commissioner Shelley Taub, District #12
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — STEPPING UP: A NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO REDUCE
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN JAILS
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS counties routinely provide treatment services to the estimated 2 million people with serious
mental illnesses booked into jail each year; and
WHEREAS prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than for the
general population; and
WHEREAS almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-occurring
substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a higher risk of
recidivism than people without these disorders; and
WHEREAS county jails spend two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that require
interventions compared to those without these treatment needs; and
WHEREAS without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle
through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals and their
families; and
WHEREAS Oakland County and all counties take pride in their responsibility to protect and enhance the
health, welfare and safety of its residents in efficient and cost-effective ways; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Community Correctional Division provides an array of sentencing
alternatives with programs, services, and resources for individuals with mental illnesses who enter into
the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) strives to inspire hope,
empower people, and strengthen communities for Oakland County residents. OCCMHA and its network
of service providers identify, influence, and deliver public mental health services to more than 27,000
Oakland County citizens with serious mental illness, substance use, developmental disabilities and
childhood emotional disorder to improve their lives and prevent the risk of entering the criminal justice
system; and
WHEREAS through the Stepping Up Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the Council of State
Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation are encouraging counties to
reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in county jails;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners do hereby sign
on to the Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our county jail, commit to
sharing lessons learned with other counties in Michigan and across the country to support a national
initiative and encourage all county officials, employees and residents to participate in Stepping Up. We
resolve to utilize the comprehensive resources available through Stepping Up to:
-Convene or draw on a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple
agencies committed to safely reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.
-Collect and review prevalence numbers and assess individuals' needs to better identify
adults entering jails with mental illnesses and their recidivism risk, and use that baseline
information to guide decision making..
-Examine treatment and service capacity to determine which programs and services are
available in the county for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use
disorders, and identify state and local policy and funding barriers to minimizing contact
with the justice system and providing treatment and supports in the community.
-Develop a plan with measurable outcomes that draws on the needs and prevalence
assessment data and examination of available treatment and service capacity, while
considering identified barriers.
-Implement research-based approaches that advance the plan.
-Create a process to track progress using data and information systems, and to report
on successes.
Commissioner SheIle Thub
District #12
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls upon our judicial
and criminal justice systems, law enforcement, government agencies, public and private institutions,
community-based organizations, and citizens to recommit our state to increasing awareness and
understanding of mental illness, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with
mental illness to promote recovery and prevent the entry into the criminal justice system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this
resolution to the Oakland County Community Correctional Division and the Oakland County Community
Mental Health Authority.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Resolution *15146 May 21, 2015
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.