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The CSS forensic programs coordinate with the courts, jails and behavioral health system so that appropriate services are offered to offenders.
CSS operates the Behavioral Health Services at the Summit County Jail. Both CSS’ Behavioral Health staff and the Summit County Jail staff work together to provide quality behavioral health services to inmates. These services include psychiatric services, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention and suicide screening and prevention programs. According to statistics, 50% of jail inmates suffer from some sort of mental illness and are at high risk of suicide attempts while incarcerated.
In 2002, the members of the Behavioral Health Unit were recognized by the Summit County Sheriff’s Department at an awards ceremony. The Behavioral Health Unit was congratulated for providing a high level of service to both the inmates of the Summit County Jail and the operating staff. The Unit continues to operate a Suicide Prevention Program that was so successful, it has been recognized nationally. Thanks to the work of the CSS staff, there have been no suicides in the Summit County Jail since 1989.
CSS has developed a comprehensive community treatment program for individuals who suffer from severe mental illnesses and who have become involved with the criminal justice system. The goal of the program is to provide intensive behavioral health services for forensic clients in the least restrictive setting that is consistent with their treatment, while at the same time emphasizing community safety. One component of this program works with individuals who have been found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). Staff work with clients while they are hospitalized at the State psychiatric facilities and when they are discharged from the hospital on a Conditional Release (CR) status.
The Mental Health Court program is a specialized service within the Forensic services provided by CSS. The Mental Health Court program addresses the unique needs of the mentally ill in our criminal justice system. The Mental Health Court is a cooperative effort between Community Support Services, the Akron Municipal Court and The County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. The program handles cases involving nonviolent defendants charged with a misdemeanor who are identified as severely mentally ill.
Defendants receive case management, psychiatric, vocational, and residential services. These services are provided in conjunction with the defendant, family members, probation office and the city of Akron Municipal Mental Health Court.
- To divert mentally ill offenders with nonviolent, misdemeanor charges to community-based behavioral health services and supervised probation.
- To expedite mentally ill individuals through the criminal justice system.
- To balance the rights of defendants and the public safety by recommending appropriate treatment for offenders.
- To build a bridge between the criminal justice system and the community mental health system.
Communities such as in Summit County are dealing with the mentally ill offender through an already established community mental health system.
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