amongst the inmates and officers which all too often results in physical aggression either towards or by the mentally ill inmate. Looking at JimmieJo’s current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, it is highly unlikely that he can receive the appropriate treatment required to maintain the violent outbursts associated with the disorder. Much like sending him to prison, jail would only increase the likelihood that he would become a threat to himself and others. With the jails inability to provide adequate treatment and medication, JimmieJo will be released after the maximum one year sentence to return to the streets and his old way of life which will ultimately land him back in jail and/or dead. As we have reviewed to two sentences currently on the table, it is clear that neither of them would adequately meet the needs of JimmieJo’s psychological issues. That being said, I believe it is …show more content…
Community corrections is a broad category of intensified supervision which can be imposed on a convicted individual in lieu of serving a prison or jail sentence. This form of supervision can consist of court ordered treatment, probation, group homes, and mandatory prescriptions. In the case of JimmieJo I believe this should be utilized on combination with a court ordered psychiatric stay until the medications are in his system and JimmieJo appears to be emotionally balanced. At that time I believe JimmieJo should reappear in front of the court for the community based sentencing. At that point I would recommend that the following alternatives be presented:
1. JimmieJo should be placed on probation for a term recommended by the psychiatric team in collaboration with the court. While on probation JimmieJo should receive court ordered therapy for his bipolar disorder as well as his alcoholism which should include mandatory screenings to ensure that he is taking his prescribed