We are learning more about the Tulsa County program that allows people with mental illness who have been accused of some crime to receive treatment rather than go to prison.
This was after a woman who was participating in the program was arrested for assault for the third time in four months.
The DA office told me how federally funded programs seek to balance individual needs and public safety.
Approximately $1 million in grants will be used over three years. This is his third year on the program.
A woman who was arrested for assault on two occasions one week apart in December had her case dropped last month so she could obtain mental health assistance through the Civil Mental Health Diversion Program.
However, Priscilla Platzer was arrested again for another assault.
Tulsa Police said Platzer randomly approached an EMSA worker on Tuesday, punched the worker through an open window, and then fled.
“If they are unwilling to participate, we will be forced to take a criminal approach to prosecution,” Stephanie Younis said. I just have to spend some time in prison for my crime, and then I will try to contact him again for treatment.”
Family & Children’s Services offers a re-entry program towards the end of an individual’s sentence.
According to Yunis, less than 25% of those who participate in the program end up committing more crimes. However, the majority of them are successful with outpatient treatment plans.
Those who are unsuccessful in diversion programs may end up in competency programs or even criminal mental health courts.
People can join the program in one of three ways.
According to Younis, about 40% of people end up in jail and then in a hospital, and the other 40% are taken directly to a psychiatric facility by law enforcement. The remaining 20% of her, she said, were referrals from her family.
The next of kin can go to the 2nd floor of the court and request a petition to be filed. The agent can then go to the individual’s home and pick the person up for evaluation.
Suspects are first taken to a psychiatric hospital, such as the Tulsa Behavioral Health Center, where they remain until stabilization, which can take anywhere from 48 hours to nine months.
Their outpatient plan includes checking in with a healthcare provider at least once a month, taking psychiatric medication, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
This program not only helps those in need, it saves taxpayers money.
“When we looked at the data, there are individuals who have mental health appointments at an ER you know 20, 30, sometimes more times a year. An ER visit costs an average of $3,000, and you’ve been in the hospital, right? The total cost is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, paid by the taxpayer,” said Younis. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I know it is better to identify front-end people and treat them in a holistic way than to ignore problems and pay them money. In prison, paying for them to be in the ER to deal with the accident.”
Victims, including Platzer’s December victims, must consent before anyone can join the program.
“These victims actually contacted us and requested medical attention before we even asked,” Younis said.
Younis said the program has helped prevent prison time for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, intellectual disability and traumatic brain injuries.
About 250 people in Tulsa County have participated in the program over the past two years.
The DA office is considering additional funding opportunities and has suggested continuing and even expanding the program.
