CAPE GIRARDEAU – The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office and Community Counseling Center is proud to announce the success of its innovative Jail Navigator program, which has significantly impacted the lives of inmates and the community. This program, which embeds a behavioral health counselor within the jail, aims to evaluate and address the behavioral health needs of referred inmates, initiating crucial services before they reenter the community.
In the last fiscal year, the Jail Navigator program received 905 referrals, demonstrating the high demand and critical need for behavioral health support among the inmate population. The program’s proactive approach has led to a remarkable reduction in recidivism rates of inmates interacting with our Navigator, dropping from approximately 35% to 17.4%.
“The Jail Navigator program is a testament to our commitment to rehabilitation and community safety,” said Lt. Ed Curtis, of Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office. “By providing inmates with the necessary behavioral health services before they reenter society, we are not only supporting their personal growth but also enhancing public safety.” Added Curtis, “We have never before had a program that essentially cut recidivism rates in half.”
The Jail Navigator works closely with inmates to assess their behavioral health needs, develop personalized treatment plans, and connect them with community resources. This comprehensive approach ensures that inmates receive continuous support, reducing the likelihood of reoffending and promoting successful reintegration into society.
The success of the Jail Navigator program highlights the importance of addressing behavioral health issues within the criminal justice system. By prioritizing behavioral health and providing targeted interventions, Cape Girardeau County Sherrif’s Office and Community Counseling Center is setting a new standard for county jails across the state, so much so that the Department of Mental Health has implemented a pilot program of four jail navigators embedded at other county jails in the state.
For more information about the Jail Navigator program, please contact Crystal Lyerla at Community Counseling Center (clyerla@cccntr.com).