CalHPS Reentry Health Policy Project Releases Report, Recommendations, and Policy Briefs

California Health Policy Strategies (CalHPS) recently released a report and other materials on the health and behavioral health needs of prison and jail inmates returning from custody to their communities. With support from the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) and L.A. Care, CalHPS has been engaged in research and recommendation development to improve the effectiveness of health and behavioral health programs serving prison and jail inmates, particularly formerly incarcerated individuals who are medically fragile and those living with serious mental illness (SMI).

The report finds that a growing portion of the criminal justice population experiences physical and mental health problems, including higher risk of death, aging-related issues, and serious mental health conditions. The report outlines a series of recommendations and next steps to ensuring those exiting the criminal justice system are able to reintegrate into their community, access necessary health and social services, and find housing.

The full CalHPS report is available here and an overview of key findings is available here. CalHPS has also developed a series of policy briefs and recommendations available here.