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Lancaster County OKs $31,200 agreement to restore and expand DBT classes for inmates
Summary
The county agreed to a contract with Gender Family Services to provide dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) classes in the jail, taking over one WISER class and adding three general-population classes (two male, one female) at a cost not to exceed $31,200.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with Gender Family Services to provide dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) instruction for inmates at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections at a cost not to exceed $31,200.
Maria Hatfield, reentry administrator at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections, told the board Gender Family Services would take over one existing WISER DBT class and add three new classes for general-population inmates—two for males and one for females. Hatfield said the provider had taught DBT prior to COVID and the county is "really excited" to restore this evidence-based programming focused on mindfulness and related practices.
A commissioner asked for clarification that one WISER class would be covered and that three additional classes would be added; Hatfield confirmed the arrangement. Commissioners voiced support and the board moved and approved the agreement.
What it means: The county will expand behavioral-health programming inside the jail to provide DBT for more inmates, which county staff described as an evidence-based approach to support rehabilitation. The contract is limited to the stated amount and scope.
