Defense Transition Unit

About the Program

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

Year: 2018

The Public Defender’s Office Defense Transition Unit (DTU) assists with criminal cases in urgent need of mental health management. The DTU is built around two licensed mental health clinicians who work as part of the department’s criminal defense team, accepting referrals directly from attorneys. The clinicians assess the mental health needs of clients in custody within five days of a referral, with attorney supervision and support from paralegals. The clinicians then use their knowledge of community resources to arrange comprehensive mental health treatment, and prepare a treatment plan for use by attorneys, judges and the Probation Department. Finally, the DTU ensures that clients are transported directly from custody to mental health service providers. By more quickly linking mentally ill clients with the resources they need, the DTU intends to reduce recidivism among our most challenging clients. Often clients attend appointments while stable and motivated, and may be less likely to seek assistance through costly hospitalizations, crisis houses and other emergency responses. Ultimately, the unit expects to reduce recidivism and benefit the taxpayer while improving the quality of life for Public Defender clients.