BALTIMORE THERAPEUTIC CENTER

“The 'crown jewel' of Maryland's Master Plan is a facility specifically focused on treating behavioral and addictive disorders. The program concept developed by CGL and Elizabeth Falcon embraces the vision of the DPSCS to deflect those for whom incarceration does not best serve their needs; detain for adjudication those who require closer supervision; and treat those whose mental instabilities and addictive behavior have contributed to their criminal activities.”

— Steve Carter, CGL

WHAT IS IT?

The proposed Baltimore Therapeutic Treatment Center (TTC) is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility that offers a comprehensive care model for delivering timely and quality mental health, medical, substance abuse, and social services for individuals involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. CGL is currently partnering with ATI and Falcon to document the planning of the TTC.

WHY IS THIS NEEDED?

The TTC fills an important void of continuity of care by providing alternatives to traditional incarceration models of jailing at different stages of systemic involvement. This continuum of care is accomplished by co-locating in one physical location a Deflection Center and a Re-Entry/Day Reporting Resource Center side by side with a treatment-centric Detention Center.

Deflection Center

Deflection refers to a wide range of alternatives that officials consider before arresting a suspect. These deflection alternatives are sometimes called pre-arrest diversion, pre-booking diversion or police-assisted diversion. Police initiatives to deflect and divert those in need of urgent care, crisis stabilization, sobering and detoxification services - whether pre-arrest or post-booking - will lead to more effective responses to substance abuse and mental health problems. This piece of the services continuum proactively engages people with behavioral health and social service needs, deflects them from the justice system, and reduces reliance on emergency services. It also assists in connecting people to community-based treatment and support.

Re-Entry/Day Reporting Resource Center

Treatment at the TTC will also include transitional, re-entry, and aftercare services with the goal of enhancing people's chances of success upon re-entry and resembling civilian life following release from the Pretrial Complex and community supervision. TTC will include a Centralized Inmate Release area and a wraparound Re-entry and Day Reporting Center.

  • Re-Entry Center: The objective of this re-entry strategy is to improve results by prioritizing the needs of each individual at the time of intake and upon booking. A component of individualized recovery plans and re-entry plans is developing immediate needs assessments and initiating Care Coordination in preparation for transition back into the community. As part of this initiative, Care Coordinators, peer mentors, and service providers will be deployed in the area to work closely with released individuals to provide immediate access to community-based services. Care Coordinators, Discharge Planning Nurses, and Case Managers will review each resident’s service plan and aid in scheduling appointments with parole officers and other justice system personnel. Individuals will gain access to medical, mental health, and aftercare treatment services throughout the city, which are physically located within the Re-Entry Center.
  • Day Reporting Center: The TTC will also have a Day Reporting Resource Center to assist inmates in re-entering the community. This center can address criminogenic needs related to employment, education, aggression, parenting, antisocial behavior, substance abuse, and other clinical issues all in one location. It will also provide a central hub for social services that released inmates can access on a consistent basis, including pretrial services, probation officers, and parole agents. A Medical and Behavioral Health Clinic provides outpatient medical and psychological treatment to patients under the Deflection Center's supervision through its outpatient ambulatory medical and behavioral health clinic.

Detention Center

If an individual cannot be deflected from the justice system altogether, they will be taken into custody and admitted to a Pretrial Complex. Upon arrest, male arrestees are taken to Baltimore City Booking and Intake Center (BCBIC) for intake and will be assessed for eligibility to be programmed in TTC while in custody. Eligible individuals include male and female offenders with medical, behavioral health, substance dependence, co-occurring disorders and other identifiable clinical or criminogenic needs. At the TTC, they will receive comprehensive needs assessments, treatment planning, withdrawal management, and a full continuum of somatic and behavioral healthcare.

A resident-focused "Therapeutic Community" concept serves as the key. Residents are housed in small groupings and therapeutic communities based on similar clinical and criminogenic needs identified in the assessment process. Licensed healthcare professionals, specialized custodial staff, and additional service providers work with residents and peers in this community.

HOW DOES THE TTC HELP THE JUSTICE-INVOLVED POPULATION?

The TTC re-imagines the City’s pretrial system and aligns cross-system resources with the behavioral and programmatic needs of the justice-involved population by juxtaposing medical and behavioral health assessments, stabilization, and treatment services with traditional detention functions.

Interested in learning more about this project or other work?