The Mental Health Services Continuum Program (MHSCP) was implemented in California state prisons and consisted of multiple components designed to increase continuity of mental health care during reentry into the community from prison. MHSCP consisted of two main elements. The first was the Transitional Case Management Program, in which social workers conducted face-to-face assessments of eligible inmates’ mental health needs within 90 days before release on parole. The social worker who performed the assessment then sent the assessment information to the client’s parole officer, and the parolee was scheduled for an appointment at a Parole Outpatient Clinic within 1 week of release. The second component … (more)

The Mental Health Services Continuum Program (MHSCP) was implemented in California state prisons and consisted of multiple components designed to increase continuity of mental health care during reentry into the community from prison. MHSCP consisted of two main elements. The first was the Transitional Case Management Program, in which social workers conducted face-to-face assessments of eligible inmates’ mental health needs within 90 days before release on parole. The social worker who performed the assessment then sent the assessment information to the client’s parole officer, and the parolee was scheduled for an appointment at a Parole Outpatient Clinic within 1 week of release. The second component consisted of post-release attendance at the Parole Outpatient Clinic, which was open to all parolees with a mental health diagnosis, but to which MHSCP participants were specifically referred through the pre-release mental health needs assessment. (less)

One evaluation of MHSCP was identified and was rated at the high level of rigor. Using a quasi-experimental design, the researchers found evidence that those who received a pre-release assessment as part of MHSCP were more likely to seek treatment at the Parole Outpatient Clinic after release. … (more)

One evaluation of MHSCP was identified and was rated at the high level of rigor. Using a quasi-experimental design, the researchers found evidence that those who received a pre-release assessment as part of MHSCP were more likely to seek treatment at the Parole Outpatient Clinic after release. Furthermore, among all study participants who attended the clinic (both those who were assessed and those who were not), recidivism outcomes were better than among all study participants who did not attend the clinic. However, no direct effect of pre-release assessment on recidivism was observed. (less)

• While the researchers did not conduct a process evaluation, several challenges to implementation were noted in interviews with clinicians and as a part of the outcome evaluation. When interviewed, clinicians noted that a poorly functioning patient computer database impaired successful transfer of information between the secure facility and Parole Outpatient Clinics. … (more)

• While the researchers did not conduct a process evaluation, several challenges to implementation were noted in interviews with clinicians and as a part of the outcome evaluation. When interviewed, clinicians noted that a poorly functioning patient computer database impaired successful transfer of information between the secure facility and Parole Outpatient Clinics. In addition, the interviews also suggested a need for improved communication and coordination between clinicians at the secure facility and those at Parole Outpatient Clinics to increase the likelihood of program participants receiving services while on parole. Thus, the study suggested that strategies of increasing and facilitating communication between mental health staff inside and outside the secure institution, including an efficient computer database, would be beneficial to other jurisdictions interested in implementing similar programs.
• The researchers also noted that not all individuals who were identified as eligible for the program received a pre-release mental health needs assessment, suggesting that social workers encountered time constraints hampering their ability to reach prospective program participants. Other jurisdictions may seek to provide adequate time and staff resources to process the full share of eligible individuals.
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