Co-Occurring Disorders Court

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Studies show that nearly 75 percent of mentally ill criminal offenders have a co-occurring substance use disorder and that offenders with co-occurring disorders (COD) are four times more likely to be incarcerated for less serious charges than non-COD offenders. This presents a significant challenge in Los Angeles County, where approximately 2,000 inmates housed in the jails are diagnosed with a major mental illness. The Co-Occurring Disorders County (CODC) was established in April 2007 as a collaborative pilot program to respond to the needs of the COD offender population and reduce costs to the County and the community. CODC combines intensive judicial supervision with community-based treatment services. The program aims to reduce recidivism and reintegrate offenders back into their community by providing access to intensive treatment services and case management while minimizing incarceration. In its four years of existence, the CODC program has demonstrated positive outcomes. Participants have demonstrated an 85 percent decrease In the number of days spent in jail, a 79 percent drop in the number of arrests, and a 95 percent decrease in homelessness compared to the 12-month period prior to program participation.