Karen Burkes, Director of State Operated Healthcare Facilities | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Karen Burkes, Director of State Operated Healthcare Facilities | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the Wake County Sheriff's Office to offer enhanced services for defendants with mental illness who are deemed incapable of proceeding to trial (ITP). This development follows the success of the NC RISE program in Mecklenburg and Pitt Counties. The Wake County program aims to provide the necessary behavioral healthcare at the right time to North Carolinians.
Individuals classified as ITP require assistance to restore their capacity for participating in judicial proceedings. The new NC RISE initiative at the Wake County Detention Center allows criminal defendants ineligible for community-based services to receive treatment within the facility.
"By making capacity restoration services available in detention centers and communities, we are able to get people the care they need faster and moving through the judicial process more quickly," stated NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. He emphasized that the effort aims to disrupt costly cycles within the justice system.
Previously, capacity restoration services in North Carolina were confined to state hospitals, although many individuals do not need such intensive care. Expanding restoration service options aims to provide quicker access to those in need while preserving hospital resources.
"This program provides our agency and community with a valuable tool to support individuals while also helping move cases through the court system more efficiently," remarked Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe. He expressed commitment to partnering with NCDHHS to bolster mental health care for defendants and support the criminal justice system.
Initial data reveals that the NC RISE launch at Mecklenburg County Detention Center decreased hospital referrals for ITP individuals by 60%. As of now, 82% of participating defendants have had their capacities restored, allowing for their progression in the justice system. The time required to restore capacity averages 50 days in the detention-based program, considerably shorter than over 140 days at a state psychiatric hospital.
Recovery Solutions, formerly Wellpath Recovery Solutions, implemented the pilot in Mecklenburg County and will manage services for the new program at the Wake County Detention Center. The program offers psychiatric care, individual and group counseling, psychoeducation, and case management.
"Detention center-based capacity restoration programs are an innovative and cost-effective model for improving services for people who are ITP," said Dr. Robert Cochrane, NCDHHS Director of Forensic Services for the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities. He highlighted that NC RISE results have been overwhelmingly positive, meeting objectives to expand treatment and reduce hospital strain.
Funded in part by an unprecedented $835 million investment, NC RISE supports NCDHHS's goal to transform behavioral health for North Carolina's children and families, with $99 million dedicated to enhancing mental health services for justice-involved individuals.
As NCDHHS continues expanding service options, the department aims to strengthen legal and behavioral health systems across the state to better meet the needs of North Carolinians.
Alerts Sign-up