OPM: CJPAC Behavioral Health Subcommittee

The CJPAC Behavioral Health Subcommittee was established pursuant to Public Act 04-234, An Act Concerning Prison Overcrowding. The Subcommittee is charged with making recommendations to the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission (CJPAC) concerning the provision of inmate behavioral health services.

Behavioral Health issues for the Annual Reentry Plan are coordinated and developed by the Research, Analysis & Evaluation Unit and this Subcommittee. Our work together on this Plan is guided by how Subcommittee tasks relate to: (a) the criminal justice system, (b) the annual reentry strategy initiatives and (c) the impact these activities may have on reducing recidivism and prison and jail overcrowding. For more information see Meeting Agendas/Minutes.

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CURRENT MEMBERS

The Behavioral Health Subcommittee (BHS) is facilitated by two Chairpersons:

Dr. Dan Bannish, DOC, 860-692-7651, dan.bannish@po.state.ct.us

Dr. Michael Norko, DMHAS, 860-262-6733, michael.norko@po.state.ct.us

Current BHS Members: Behavioral Health Subcommittee Members

By statute, the CJPAC Behavioral Health Subcommittee is composed of the Commissioners, or their respective designees, from the Department of Correction (DOC) and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and a representative of the University of Connecticut Health Center who has the responsibility for the administration of the contract with the Department of Correction concerning the provision of health care services to inmates.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The CJPAC Behavioral Health Subcommittee (BHS) and its two workgroups (1) System Barriers Workgroup (BHS/SB), and (2) Housing & Employment Workgroup (BHS/H&E) hold regular scheduled meetings.

Current/Past Meetings: Meeting Agendas/Minutes

For more information on attending these meetings, please contact one of the co-chairs listed above.

BHS WORKGROUP RESPONSIBILITIES

The CJPAC Behavioral Health Subcommittee (BHS) and its two Workgroups:

(1) System Barriers Workgroup (BHS/SB), and

(2) Housing & Employment Workgroup (BHS/H&E)

Will develop brief reports to the Behavioral Health subcommittee that include the following topics regarding offenders with behavioral health needs.

For each specific service/resource investigated by workgroup:

I. Need

Specific service/resource needed

Impact (qualitative and quantitative) of unmet need for this service/resource on the following:

Number and subpopulations of people affected
Quality of life
Violation of conditions
Arrest
Incarceration
Recidivism

II. Barriers

Identify barriers to accessing this service/resource

Relative impact of each barrier on meeting unmet need for this service/resource

III. Recommendations

For each recommendation, present the following:

Description of recommendation

Evidence to support recommendation

Cost of implementing recommendation

State entities involved in implementing recommendation

Impact (qualitative and quantitative) of implementing recommendation on the following:

Quality of life
Violation of conditions
Arrest
Incarceration
Recidivism