Excessive wait times for competency restoration services has placed a major strain on counties and jails across the nation. Incompetent individuals experience excessive delays awaiting placement at state hospitals and pose many challenges. This presentation will review those challenges and highlight best practices in the collaboration and implementation of a successful jail-based competency restoration program within the second largest jail in the United States.

Educational Objectives

• Describe the risks associated with large-scale corrections related to mental health
• Discuss how implementing a JBCR can reduce wait times for restoration services, cost to the county, and adverse interactions between staff and incarcerated individuals
• Review the correctional and legal entities with whom effective collaboration is necessary for successful program development.

Level: Intermediate