By Richard M. Swanson, Radha Ghokar, and Lauren W. Tolle

ABSTRACT:   The primary objective of the Arapahoe County Diverts the Mentally Ill for Treatment (ADMIT) program is to provide intensive, outpatient services to mentally ill and dually diagnosed offenders at the Patrick Sullivan Detention Facility (PSDF), thereby reducing recidivism. A preliminary evaluation regarding the program's effectiveness in reducing mental health problems and recidivism, and its cost-effectiveness and a number of other results are presented. Many offenders who were discharged from ADMIT (N = 117 as of March 2010) have been successful graduates. The average ADMIT client was 39 years old, male, Caucasian/White, and has been charged with a misdemeanor. ADMIT graduates had the lowest probability of recidivating to PSDF. ADMIT clients had a 13.6% decreased probability of recidivating to PSDF when compared to a group of similar offenders. ADMIT graduates (those who met treatment goals) had a 18.3% decreased probability of recidivating to PSDF when compared to ADMIT completers (those who completed their sentence but did not meet treatment goals). ADMIT clients showed significantly decreased mental health symptoms between enrollment and 3-6 month follow-up, which suggests that they are making important gains in treatment. Future directions are discussed.

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