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Archive: August 2021

LEAD Program Allows Police Officers to Divert Individuals to Resources Instead of Arrest

August 30, 2021

By Neiman Araque

Charlton Roberson, a Harm Reduction Specialist who works with the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in Fayetteville, NC, and Cumberland County, said his colleagues working in emergency services or law enforcement often experience compassion fatigue. He … Continue Reading →

Recap: Experts Discuss Mental Illness and Competency Restoration

July 29, 2021

By Sean Bennett

To try a defendant who is not mentally competent to take part in their defense is a denial of legal due process. While the state is not constitutionally compelled to prove a defendant is competent, they must … Continue Reading →

New Article Explores Police Officer Barriers to Mental Health

May 4, 2021

Wilson Center Postdoc Dr. Meret Hofer co-wrote an article identifying police officers’ treatment seeking barriers in order to outline a multi-pronged strategy for improving the accessibility of mental health services for police.

The paper, “There Was No Plan in Place … Continue Reading →

Planning Underway for Crisis/Diversion Facility in Orange County

April 21, 2021

By Ruthie Kesri

Plans for a novel Crisis/Diversion facility are currently underway in Orange County. The facility, which will be dedicated to providing behavioral health crisis services and criminal justice diversion, will be the first of its kind in the … Continue Reading →

Viral Injustice: COVID-19 is Disproportionately Impacting Incarcerated Population

April 20, 2021

By Annie Han

The COVID-19 Pandemic has disproportionately impacted people incarcerated in the US with 28% of the current incarcerated population testing positive for the virus compared to 9% of the general population. These outbreaks in prisons present serious health … Continue Reading →

Emerging Health Model Proving Effective at Reducing Convictions, Jail Time

March 24, 2021

By Annie Han

Prisoners with mental health issues are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, with over 37% in state or federal prisons diagnosed with mental illness. Their health and behavioral needs are often untreated, or they do not … Continue Reading →

Roundtable: There are Better Alternatives to Police Response in Behavioral Crises

February 22, 2021

By Ruthie Kesri

Responding safely to behavioral health crises requires sensitivity, extensive training and de-escalation practice. Police have become the de facto first responders to those crises despite rarely receiving adequate training to safely and effectively handle the situation.

The … Continue Reading →

Support During Justice System Re-entry: A Look at Critical Time Intervention

February 4, 2021

By Chinmay Amin

It’s widely documented that individuals who live in homeless shelters and suffer from mental illness often experience cycles of recurrent homelessness during their transition to living independently. The same is true for homeless persons with mental illness … Continue Reading →

In-Depth Look at Wilson Center-Affiliated Bass Connections Projects

December 16, 2020

By: Alexi DeLara

Every year, Duke University offers the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in Bass Connections, year-long research projects spanning a variety of topics. These students work as a team alongside faculty with a common end … Continue Reading →

Introducing a New Blog Series: Growing Above and Beyond

November 13, 2020

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of an occasional series from the Wilson Center’s Michele Easter examining the intersection of nature and agriculture to support recovery, resilience, and community success within justice-involved communities. The logo for this series was … Continue Reading →

ADA Event Panelists Discuss Vital Protections for Disabled People, Concerning Future for Law

October 26, 2020

By: Jeremy Yu

When George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act into law in 1990, he famously said “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.” In celebration this year of the 30th anniversary of this … Continue Reading →

Student Post: Wilmington Police Policies Should Reflect Mental Health Best Practices

October 21, 2020

Editor’s note: There are several Duke University and Duke Law students working with the Wilson Center for Science and Justice this semester, including some who are working on a “blog team.” Those students are learning about the intersection of the … Continue Reading →