Public Health SUSTAIN: Foundational Information about Justice System Involvement for Practitioners

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Welcome to Public Health SUSTAIN!

Healthcare workers are critical to the success of people with criminal justice involvement, whether in ensuring people maintain access to needed medication and care while experiencing episodes of incarceration, helping connect people to behavioral health services, or any number of other ways. But the criminal justice system, or, more accurately systems, and the issues people with justice involvement face may be a mystery to healthcare workers. Public Health SUSTAIN (Staff Undertaking Skills to Advance Innovation) is designed to lift the veil covering the criminal justice system and introduce healthcare workers (or anyone interested in learning more!) to what it means to have criminal justice involvement.

In this course, you will explore the complexities of the justice system, learn about the special health and privacy needs of people with justice involvement, and gain tools to help you more effectively work with people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.


About Course Creators

Heather Toronjo, MA, MPP and Amy Murphy, MPP are Research Associates at the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University, who work on numerous research studies and translational tools for the justice and health fields. Faye Taxman, Ph.D. is a University Professor and Director of the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University and serves as Principal Investigator for the JCOIN Coordination and Translation Center. Becki Sutter, DNP is Director of the Mason and Partners Clinics, which serve uninsured and refugee communities in Northern Virginia. The authors are grateful for the support of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Public Welfare Foundation.

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Completion Certificate

4 Hours

Beginner/Basic Level

Research Associate at the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University

Research Associate at the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University

University Professor and Director of the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University

Rebecca Sutter, DNP

Rebecca Sutter, DNP

Director of the Mason and Partners Clinics

Public Health SUSTAIN Resources and Further Reading

We hope you have enjoyed learning more about the U.S. criminal justice system through the Public Health SUSTAIN eCourse! Throughout the course, the authors drew upon a number of sources and referred to work being done in at the intersection of justice and health. The following document provides additional information about those resources and links for users to learn more. If you have any questions or problems accessing resources, please contact the course authors.


Lesson One: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

• Prison Policy Initiative is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that has produced a number of reports illuminating issues around mass incarceration, available from https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports.html


Lesson Two: The Social Determinants of Health

• Healthy People, a website from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides data on the social determinants of health with the objective of helping communities create social and physical environments that will promote better health. These include literature summaries and state and local resources. Visit the website: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health

• The Rural Health Information Hub, a website from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, describes the challenges that rural residents experience with regard to the social determinants of health. The website includes data on rural health disparities and information on how human services can support rural health. The Social Determinants of Health in Rural Communities Toolkit provides resources to support programs interested in impacting the social determinants of health. Visit the website: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org

The American Academy of Physicians provides a number of resources related to the social determinants of health, including Checklist for Clinic Readiness to Implement Social Determinants of Health Screening, a patient questionnaire that addresses social needs, and reports on incorporating the social determinants of health into family practice. The Assessment and Action section provides a guide to screening, a tool to identify resources in the community, and a social needs action plan template. Visit the website: https://www.aafp.org/home.html

• The Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, can help providers identify patient needs with housing, food insecurity, transportation, paying utilities, and personal safety. There is also a supplemental tool that addresses financial strain, employment, family/community support, education, physical activity, substance use, mental health, and disabilities. Access the screening tool here: https://innovation.cms.gov/Files/worksheets/ahcm-screeningtool.pdf


Lesson 3: RNR and ASAM

• The GAINS Center of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a glossary of terms to help understand Risk-Need-Responsivity framework. View the document here: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/GAINSGlossaryInfographic.pdf

For more information on the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) framework, you can view George Mason University’s SUSTAIN lesson on Basic RNR, available here: https://www.jcoinctc.org/lessons/risk-need-responsivity-and-asam-criteria/

In this recorded webinar, Davis D’Amora provides an overview of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) framework and how to apply it in behavioral health. View the webinar here: https://csgjusticecenter.org/events/risk-need-responsivity-101-a-primer-for-sca-and-jmhcp-grant-recipients/

The website for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) provides extensive information and resources on their website for treatment providers, administrators, and patients. Visit the website here: https://www.asam.org/


Lesson 4: Stigma and Trauma

View the full video “What is Stigma? We Asked a Top Researcher,” where Dr. Valerie Earnshaw discusses stigma on Addiction Policy Forum’s website. View the video here: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/post/what-is-stigma-we-asked-a-top-stigma-researcher

The National Employment Law Project provides an overview of “Ban the Box,” a movement to remove questions about criminal history from job applications. This website includes a best practices guide and information on states that have implemented the policy. Visit the website here: https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ended the requirement for an X-waiver, which limited healthcare providers’ ability to prescribe buprenorphine, in 2021. Read about the policy here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/01/14/hhs-expands-access-to-treatment-for-opioid-use-disorder.html 

In 2019, JCOIN adopted a person-first language policy that aims to reduce stigma through respectful, accurate, compassionate, and non-pejorative language. View the policy and preferred terminology here: https://www.jcoinctc.org/wp-content/uploads/10252019_JCOIN-First-Person-Language.pdf

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) aims to disseminate information about the impact of trauma and initiatives that mitigate it. The website includes trauma assessment tools, information on trauma-informed treatment, and other resources. Visit the website at https://istss.org/home

• SAMHSA’s GAINS Center provides information and training on trauma for criminal justice professionals. Visit the website here: https://www.samhsa.gov/gains-center/trauma-training-criminal-justice-professionals

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers Tips for Intervening if You Witness Domestic Violence. Visit the website here: https://www.thehotline.org/resources/tips-for-intervening-if-you-witness-domestic-violence/


Lesson 5: Sequential Intercept Model

Policy Research Associates (PRA) provides extensive information on the Sequential Intercept Model, including research and interventions. Visit the website here: https://www.prainc.com/sim/

• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), now known as Let Everyone Advance with Dignity in the flagship site, uses police diversion and community resources to improve safety while decreasing the use of incarceration. Visit the LEAD National Support Bureau website here: https://www.leadbureau.org

The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) offers training and resources to help law enforcement agencies implement strategies for deflection and diversion. Visit the website here: https://paariusa.org 

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, or the “Memphis Model,” dedicates resources to support partnerships with law enforcement, behavioral health professionals, and individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders. The aim of CITs is to promote non-carceral responses for people with substance use and/or mental health disorders. Visit the website here: https://www.citinternational.org

Started by a fire chief in New Hampshire, Safe Stations provide a safer option for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorder. In this model, individuals can seek help at a participating fire or police station with limited threat of becoming justice involved. Learn more in this article: https://www.firerescue1.com/combating-the-opioid-crisis/articles/how-safe-stations-offer-hope-amidst-opioid-epidemic-rCP7fYhMLuCL1cIo/  

• The Shelby County Tennessee Jericho Project is a non-specialty court that offers an alternative to incarceration (with restrictions) for people who are post-booking that connects them to services in the community. Learn more here: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PracticalAdviceJailDiversion-508-1.pdf

• The Assess, Plan, Identify, and Coordinate (APIC) Model is a best-practice approach for adults with serious mental health disorders who are transitioning from jail into community care. It involves having practitioners “assess client needs and risk to community, plan for immediate and long-term release into the community, identify agencies and programs that can deliver services upon re-entry, and coordinate with those agencies to ensure inmates receive continuous services upon release” (Osher et.al., 2002). Read more here: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4998.pdf

• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a program model targeting individuals who are returning to the community from incarceration who have experienced homelessness and mental health disorders. A large component of helping individuals transition includes connecting with benefits and helping agencies understand the connections between mental health disorders and incarceration, as well as homelessness. Learn more about SOAR here: https://soarworks.samhsa.gov/sites/soarworks.prainc.com/files/Best_Practices_CJ_Systems.pdf

• Crime Solutions, a web product of the National Institute of Justice, provides overviews of interventions and practices for people with justice involvement and rates them based on the available literature and program evaluations. Browse or search programs and practices here: https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov  


Lesson 6: Information Sharing

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website provides the Covered Entity Decision Tool to help healthcare professionals determine if they and/or their organizations are required to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Find out more here: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Administrative-Simplification/HIPAA-ACA/AreYouaCoveredEntity

Learn more about the history and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells by reading “Honoring Henrietta: The Legacy of Henrietta Lacks.” Visit the website here: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/henriettalacks/

There are special research protections in place for people experiencing incarceration or criminal justice involvement. Learn more about these protections here: https://oprs.usc.edu/irb-review/research-with-prisoners/


Lesson 7: Criminal Justice Interventions

Learn more about Albert Bandura and social learning theory through some of his writings, including Principled of Behavior Modification (1969) and Social Learning Theory (1977), available from your library or https://bookshop.org/

The issue brief Risk/Needs Assessment 101 provides more information about the use of risk and need assessment in criminal justice. Access the brief here: https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2011/pewriskassessmentbriefpdf.pdf

Many individuals with justice involvement benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and it comes in many different formats and curricula. Learn more about some types of CBT here: https://nicic.gov/cognitive-behavioral-therapy

• Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) are an evidence-based practice that help individuals on their recovery paths. View this webinar in the JCOIN Speaker Series to learn more: https://www.jcoinctc.org/medications-for-opioid-use-disorder-in-criminal-justice-settings/  

• Integrated behavioral healthcare or primary care behavioral health refers to care in a single setting for physical and behavioral health conditions. It takes a “whole-person care” approach and involves integrated teams in a primary care setting. Learn more here: https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov/about/integrated-behavioral-health

• Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders involves assessing for and treating both serious mental health and substance use disorders in an integrated manner in order to ensure continuity and consistency of services for people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, as well as reduce the burden on the consumers. Learn more here: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/ebp-kit-building-your-program-10112019.pdf

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a cognitive therapy that is primarily used to treat borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder. It includes strategies that promote acceptance and validation of a person’s capabilities and behavior while promoting behavior change. Learn more here: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/correctional-adaptation-dialectical-behaviour-therapy-dbt-federally

• Motivational Interviewing/Motivation enhancement encompasses strategies and approaches that a person can use to promote engagement in treatment individuals who are in different places across the stages of change. These strategies can help to increase engagement in treatment for substance use disorder. Learn more here (also linked in lesson): https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/tip35_final_508_compliant_-_02252020_0.pdf


Course References:

Addiction Policy Forum. (2020, December 16). What is Stigma? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.addictionpolicy.org/post/what-is-stigma-we-asked-a-top-stigma-researcher

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2021). Assessment and Action. https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/the-everyone-project/toolkit/assessment.html

Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agénor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural Racism and Health Inequities in the USA: Evidence and Interventions. The Lancet389 (10077), 1453–1463. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X

Ban The Box Campaign. (n.d.). About: The Ban the Box Campaign. http://bantheboxcampaign.org/about/#.YNyb-S1h1AY

Bonta, J., & Andrews, D.A. (2017). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct (6th ed). Routledge Press.

Bronson, J. & Berzofsky, M. (2017). Indicators of Mental Health Problems Reported by Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 2011-12 (NCJ 250612). Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/imhprpji1112.pdf

Bronson, J., Stroop, S., Zimmer, S., & Berzofsky, M. (2017). Drug Use, Dependence, and Abuse Among State Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 2007-2009 (NCJ 250546). Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/dudaspji0709.pdf  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 22). Tuskegee Study - Timeline. https://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). Exhibit 1.3-4: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD. In Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, No. 57). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Cross, T.L., Bazron, B.J., Dennis, K.W., & Isaacs, M.R. (1989). Towards a Culturally Competent Systems of Care: A Monograph on Effective Services for Minority Children Who Are Severely Emotionally Disturbed (NCJ 124939). Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/towards-culturally-competent-system-care-monograph-effective

DeAngelis, T. (2019). The Legacy of Trauma. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

Dong, K. R., Must, A., Tang, A. M., Stopka, T. J., & Beckwith, C. G. (2018). Food Insecurity, Morbidities, and Substance Use in Adults on Probation in Rhode Island. Journal of Urban Health95(4), 564–575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-018-0290-2

Feeding America. (2015). Hunger and Health. https://www.feedingamerica.org/research/hunger-and-health-research

Feucht, T., & Gfroerer, J. (2011). Mental and Substance Use Disorders Among Adult Men on Probation or Parole: Some Success Against a Persistent Challenge (NCJ 235637). Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/mental-and-substance-use-disorders-among-adult-men-probation-or

FindLaw. (2019). Drug Possession Overview. https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/drug-possession-overview.html

Firestone, L. (2012). Recognizing Complex Trauma. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/201207/recognizing-complex-trauma

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Grusec, J. E. (1994). Social Learning Theory and Developmental Psychology: The Legacies of Robert R. Sears and Albert Bandura. In R. D. Parke, P. A. Ornstein, J. J. Rieser, & C. Zahn-Waxler (Eds.), A Century of Developmental Psychology (pp. 473–497). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10155-016

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. (2021). Healing Trauma Together. https://istss.org/home

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Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). The Legacy of Henrietta Lackshttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/henriettalacks/

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