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Commission hears update on jail alcohol/substance program funded by special alcohol grant
Summary
Commissioners asked for more information about a special alcohol grant-funded position that works in the jail; staff said the role began in January, has made early placements to community housing and meets with inmates daily to connect them with services and reduce recidivism.
Commissioners on May 20 requested more detail about a special alcohol grant that funds a jail-based substance use and mental-health position; staff said the program is new, underway and showing early promise.
Mayor Karen McCullough asked for clarification on agenda item G-5, the special alcohol grant, noting the position had been approved previously as a one-year pilot and the commission had expected a review of efficacy.
Deputy Director Friedline (first name not provided) told the commission the position was hired in January and staff have had only one quarter to implement the program, but initial results are encouraging. “We were able to place, potentially place, I think it was 8 individuals through Oxford House when they transitioned out of the jail,” Friedline said, adding the specialist meets daily with inmates on mental-health and substance-use issues and works to connect them with post-release services to reduce recidivism.
Friedline said the role also focuses on referral and coordination: meeting inmates, arranging transitions to community providers and tracking post-release placements. She and other staff characterized the program as promising and asked for continued funding to maintain the position while the city gathers more data on outcomes.
Commissioners noted the city’s jail population is a driver of local policy questions and supported continued exploration of treatment and reentry programming to address disproportionate incarceration rates.
The special alcohol grant item was included on the consent agenda and approved as part of the commission’s consent vote earlier in the meeting.
