Potter County Today
Members of the criminal justice system and related agencies in Potter County
will be attending an intensive two-day training session focused on proven
strategies to improve outcomes for criminal offenders with mental health and/or
addiction issues. Studies show that more than half of repeat offenders suffer
from one or both of the disorders. Their access to services for mental illness,
alcoholism or drug addiction is often limited. Reform measures implemented in
many other counties have reduced the recidivism rate (i.e., those who repeatedly
cycle through the system). The payoffs for counties that implement the reforms
have included cost savings, enhanced public safety, fewer repeat offenders,
restored lives and reunited families.
Progress does not come easily. It requires a strategic approach and buy-in
from the criminal justice system, county commissioners, human services agencies,
law enforcement, jail management and other partners. They’ll be gathering on
Thursday and Friday to work toward local solutions through the “Sequential
Intercept Mapping” (SIQ) model. Experts will walk local officials through
exercises that identify communication barriers, clarify roles, and allow each
case to be handled effectively and efficiently. Human Services Administrator Jim
Kockler has arranged for Carol Speed and Jennifer Johnson from the GAINS Center
for Behavioral Health and Justice to conduct the local training. The team will
assess the county’s current system and prepare a set of recommendations to
effectively implement SIQ locally.
