The San Diego County Board of Supervisors made a historic decision to help keep mentally ill people, addicted persons, and other troubled individuals out of jail. People who suffer from homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorder will be sent to treatment instead.

Writing A Data-Driven Public Safety Plan

The public safety plan will focus on addressing the roots of specific social issues such as homelessness. Many people who live on the streets have a lifestyle described as a “revolving door” between the justice system and homelessness. Breaking these patterns can help people reclaim their dignity and live a better life.

Using Data To Improve Outcomes in San Diego County

The Board Of Supervisors created a plan to help implement better practices that address the mental health needs of people in the justice system.

Part of the plan will create a method of identifying and referring candidates for jail diversion programs. People struggling with homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges would be the priority for diversion. Youthful offenders also will get special consideration in regards to their mental health needs.

San Diego County budget will also be created and money diverted to programs that focus on minority residents experiencing various challenges. Specifically, there will be more money for substance use disorder within the LGBTQ communities, disabled communities, and communities of color. All of these people experience poverty and homelessness at much higher rates than the rest of the population.

Using Data To Transform Lives

San Diego County plans to use programs backed by data in the community. This means that Medication-Assisted Treatment, inpatient treatment programs, and other diversions will be made available to a broader range of populations that need them.

While not said outright, the focus on social solutions aligns partially with the conversations nationwide about defunding the police—proponents of police reform advocate for more social programs in communities experiencing poverty, homelessness, and other challenges.

Part of the reasoning behind new diversion tactics also may involve several settlements the county has paid recently for allegations involving in-custody deaths and lapses in jail medical care. In addition to the bad publicity, the COVID-19 virus saw many misdemeanor trials go without incarceration.

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