IONIA, MI - The way Robert Lathers sees it, Ionia County's jail diversion program is helping people and saving money.

The bottom line is that 80 to 100 mentally challenged individuals annually, on average, are in the program and not put in jail. The savings amounts to $80,000 to $100,000 per month over what it would have cost to house the individuals.

"Some people with mental illness must be incarcerated because of the seriousness of their offense, said Lathers, CEO of Ionia County Community Mental Health.
"However, there are also lawbreakers who've committed a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony who can be better rehabilitated outside the jail environment."

The program has helped reduce repeat offenses, lightening the burden on the county's courts. The program also has helped relieve Ionia County Jail crowding by directing low-risk offenders to Carson City Psychiatric Hospital or facilities in Grand Rapids affiliated with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.

"It's been a real collaboration on the part of police, corrections personnel, prosecutors and judges, who've received training on how to identify individuals who might be a good candidate for the program," Ionia County Sheriff Dwain Dennis said.

"It's generally understood, between all of us involved, that putting someone who has a history of mental illness behind bars only exacerbates the situation, when what they really need is professional help."

Before channeled into the program, an individual must agree to participate. They undergo a psychiatric evaluation, and a case manager recommends treatment.
The afflictions for many in the program include depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or some form of psychosis.

"A person might stay in the program a few weeks, months, or several years," Lathers said, "but at least they're not out wandering the streets or, worse, locked up, where they could pose a threat to themselves or those around them."

Along with providing mental health care, the program also offers treatment for substance abuse and assistance with finding a job or housing once the individual gets released back into the community.

Closure of many state-operated institutions prompted changes to the state's mental health law a decade ago, requiring all community mental health agencies to develop jail diversion programs.