Read the full policy analysis.

Key Points:

• People with mental health disorders are significantly overrepresented in the incarcerated population, and 80% of all crimes in Tennessee have a drug-related nexus.
• While treatment for mental health and substance use disorders during and after incarceration have been found to effectively reduce recidivism and Tennessee provides numerous treatment programs, these resources are accessible mostly in state prisons, leaving rural jails unequipped to serve their growing incarcerated population.
• A person is at greatest risk of reoffending or overdosing in the period of time immediately following release from incarceration (known as reentry), indicating a need for an increase in treatment initiation and improved continuity of care for mental health and substance use disorders during and after incarceration.
• Rural Jefferson County has launched a program that provides pharmaceutical and behavioral treatment to incarcerated individuals upon intake and connects them with services for continuity of care upon re-entry, and it is expected that this program will have a positive impact on recidivism rates moving forward.