Jail Diversion in Washington County, Oregon

Karen James interviews Jay Auslander, the Jail Diversion Systems Coordinator in Washington County, Oregon.  Jail diversion helps divert individuals away from jail and provide links to community-based treatment and support services.  Jay coordinates the systems of mental health and addictions care, law enforcement, the court system and the Washington County jail to support the best practices for people with mental health issues who are involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Individuals with mental health challenges are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, they are more likely to come in contact with law enforcement, more likely to be arrested and spend a longer period of time behind bars than a person without mental health challenges.  They are often themselves victims of crime.

https://www.co.washington.or.us/hhs/mentalhealth/

https://www.co.washington.or.us/Sheriff/Jail/index.cfm