Integrating into the Mental Health System from the Criminal Justice System: Jail Aftercare Services for Persons with a Severe Mental Illness

This article describes a mental health evidence based practice, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). While ACT has scientific support, it has not been rigorously tested for persons with a severe mental illness and repeated forensic involvement. This article provides preliminary evidence that ACT is best suited for reentry into the mental health system by reporting reduced arrests and hospital admissions for an ACT jail aftercare team. ACT both facilitates formal diversion and linkage mechanisms between the criminal and mental health systems and engages and prepares persons with mental illness for integration into the mental health system.