The Army veteran was homeless and disoriented when he was arrested for burglary in Boulder County. Prior to 1999, he would have been sentenced, served his term and been released from jail. Then, most likely, he would have been returned to jail for another offense or for a technical violation of parole, such as not keeping an appointment with his parole officer. He would have joined the legions of mentally ill going in and out of jail in what amounts to a revolving door.
But he was lucky. In 1999, two far-sighted community leaders – Boulder County Sheriff George Epp and Judge Roxanne Balin – had determined to do something about the growing numbers of mentally ill people who were overwhelming the county’s justice system. National research showed 16 percent of the people in prisons with a diagnosed mental illness; Epp found that some days, as many as 30 percent of Boulder County’s inmates were mentally ill.
Epp and Balin came up with a project they called PACE – Partnership for Active Community Engagement. A federal grant enabled them to rent a storefront and bring together professionals who could help prisoners with mental illness.
Jail booking officers, attorneys, judges and even family members were encouraged to identify prisoners with mental health issues. If an assessment showed that a prisoner was low risk, a bond commissioner with offices in the booking area would release the person to the custody of PACE, where he or she would report six days a week to take medications, undergo group therapy, and apply for a job and supports such as food stamps and aid to needy families.
In 2006, an independent study by a University of Colorado researcher credited PACE with a 72 percent decrease in overall jail use. PACE, the study said, saved more than 10,000 jail bed days each year at a cost-saving of about $61 per bed per day.
With the value of PACE confirmed, Boulder County voters approved a 0.05 percent sales tax increase, a portion of which is dedicated to ensuring the program’s continuation.
Sandy Rothman, clinical director of PACE, says today the program is expanding to serve up to 50 clients at a time. A psychiatrist, probation officer, two mental health therapists, a therapist with experience in treating substance abuse, a psychiatric nurse and two case managers staff the center in a collaborative effort that includes the sheriff’s office, the courts, the probation department, and the county departments of public and mental health. Collaboration is needed, Rothman says, because PACE’s clients have such complex mental illnesses as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression.
The veteran who was arrested for burglary was evaluated in jail and encouraged to take medications for schizophrenia. PACE’s case managers helped him find housing and get disability benefits, which enabled him to find a part-time job – where he’s been named employee of the month several times.
With jails bursting at the seams and costs skyrocketing, law enforcement officials across Colorado are expressing interest in the PACE program. In March, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson, challenged by housing 1,400 inmates in a jail built for 1,100, will kick off a diversion program similar to PACE. Robinson calls the program ADMIT – Arapahoe Diverts Mental Illness for Treatment. Without having the funds for the startup costs (about $800,000), Robinson is thinking creatively. He plans to use revenues from the jail’s commissary to fund the new program. In the past, the commissary fund (from inmates’ purchase of candy, soap, etc.) has been used to buy television sets or fitness equipment for the inmates. Robinson believes the money will be better spent providing treatment for prisoners who are mentally ill.
Taxpayers should hope that other Colorado sheriffs seek innovative ways to implement diversion programs. In addition, with a lawsuit pending against the state because so many mentally ill people are warehoused in jails awaiting treatment, it’s heartening to finally have a governor focused on investing in treatment programs.
Gov. Bill Ritter and legislative leaders should take a close look at PACE. The cost savings make a powerful argument for providing diversion and treatment programs for mentally ill offenders. The benefits in reduced human suffering are icing on the cake.
Susan Thornton (smthornton@aol.com) served 16 years on the Littleton City Council, including eight years as mayor.
