Criminal justice system case management practices and processes

¶ … Managers in Criminal Justice

The objective of this study is to answer the question of why it is important to distinguish between community settings and correctional settings when providing services to clients. This work in writing will additional answer as to whether every correctional client require the assistance of a case manager and what special population is most likely to required the assistance of a case manager. Finally, this study will answer as to why ethics and confidentiality play an integral role when working with clients.

The work of Healey (12999) reports that Jurisdictions "across the country are adapting case management techniques, a service delivery approach developed by mental health and social services workers in the late 1960s and early 1970s to suit the needs of a wide variety of criminal justice populations." (p.1) It is reported that the jurisdictions utilize case management for the purposes of reduction of recidivism and in addressing mental disorders as well as developmental disabilities, unemployment, homelessness as well as HIV / AIDS and other serious medical conditions as well as in the areas of offenses including domestic violence and substance abuse.

I. Case Manager's Fundamental Functions: Community vs. Criminal Justice Settings

The literature is reported to have categorized the case manager's fundamental functions into five activities including: (1) assessment of the needs of the client; (2) service plan development; (3) directing the client to needed services; (4) client progress monitoring; and (5) advocacy for the client's needs. (Healey, 1999, p. 2) there are reported to be two types of case management including: (1) strength-based management; (2) assertive case management. (Healey, 1999, p. 1) It is reported that in the criminal justice setting that the "supportive, positive regard displayed by case managers for their clients must be balanced with disapproval of the client's antisocial behaviors or attitudes'. (Healey, 1999, p. 2) According to Healey (1999) the case manager provides different levels of assistance to criminal justice clients based on their specific needs. (Paraphrased) Some criminal justice clients require regular monitoring while others require little supervision or assistance. (Healey, 1999, paraphrased)

II. Case Management for Special Needs Clients

Case management is described as "an appropriate intervention for substance abusers because they have trouble with other aspects of their lives." (NCBI, 2014, p. 1) This is reported to be particularly true for clients "whose problems or issues can be overwhelming even for non-addicted people." (NCBI, 2014, p. 1) The special treatment needs include such as "HIV infection or AIDS, mental illness, chronic and acute health problems, poverty, homelessness, responsibility for parenting young children, social and developmental problems associated with adolescence and advanced age, involvement with illegal activities, physical disabilities, and sexual orientation." (NCBI, 2014, p. 1) According to reports the case manager of special needs clients should: (1) ensure that they make every possible effort to be competent in "addressing the special circumstances that affect clients typically referred to a particular substance abuse treatment program." (NCBI, 2014, p. 1); (2) have a good understanding of the range of reactions by the client to the challenges related to their individual circumstances; (3) remain aware of the limitations of their own expertise and knowledge; (4) conduct evaluation of their individual biases and beliefs about clients with special problems; (5) keep an open attitude in relating to identifying and procuring assistance for a client; and (6) be knowledgeable in regards to where additional information on special problems can be located. (NCBI, 2014, paraphrased)

III. Case Management: Ethics and Confidentiality

The work of Peterson (nd) entitled "Ethics and Confidentiality" reports that "information regarding a person's substance abuse history is federally protected to encourage those needing treatment to seek help without fear of repercussions." (p.2) It is reported that there are several rules that are applicable to participants in drug treatment courts including the following:

(1) 42 CRR Part 2 -- the alcohol and substance abuse treatment confidentiality rule; and (2) HIPAA -- new federal rules covering all health related information. (Peterson, nd, p. 2)