The Massachusetts Forensic Transition Program for Mentally Ill Offenders Re-Entering the Community

On April 1, 1998, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health established the forensic transition program for mentally ill offenders. The primary goal of the statewide program, which follows clients for three months after their release from correctional facilities, is to coordinate services and assist in community reintegration. In the first year of the program, 233 mentally ill offenders received services. Seventy-four clients had been discharged as of April 1, 1999. At discharge 42 of the 74 clients (57 percent) were living in the community and were receiving mental health services. The other clients were hospitalized immediately after release (20 percent), reincarcerated (10 percent), hospitalized after a brief stay in the community (3 percent), or lost to follow-up (11 percent).