Franklin County officials marked six months of the county’s Jail Population Review initiative on Monday, October 26, saying the effort to reduce unnecessary incarceration is already showing results — starting with its very first client, who is now sober, stably housed and has not returned to jail since entering the program.
The initiative, run by the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and correctional healthcare provider Armor Health, focuses on people who cycle frequently through the jail and other public services, often because of unmet mental health needs, housing instability and other social factors.
The first client accepted into the review had been booked into the jail five times between January 1 and May 20 of this year, officials said. Six months after engaging with the program, he is celebrating six months of sobriety, is stably housed, is actively engaged in treatment and is considering reentering the workforce — and has not been back to jail.
“Many people who frequently enter our jail are struggling with mental health challenges, unstable housing, or gaps in support across systems,” said Chief Deputy Geoff Stobart, who oversees the Corrections Division for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Melissa Pierson, chief operating officer with the Office of Justice Policy and Programs, said the initiative “allows us to work together across agencies to address the root causes of justice involvement and create safer, healthier outcomes for everyone.”
The review brings together partners from criminal justice, behavioral health, housing, emergency services and community-based organizations. Its stated focus areas include identifying frequent utilizers, strengthening access to mental health services and crisis supports, addressing housing and income stability, and getting people the right intervention at the right time.
The Office of Justice Policy and Programs serves as Franklin County’s criminal justice services agency under the Board of Commissioners and the county’s Criminal Justice Planning Board, overseeing justice grants, reentry planning and domestic violence prevention services. County officials said the partners will keep building the review process as more clients are identified and connected to support instead of repeated jail stays.