The Special Needs Caseload was created in September 1999 and was designed to meet the needs of offenders with mental health/mental retardation issues, or other needs that may otherwise not be met in a regular caseload. It is intended for people with overt psychiatric diagnosis, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other health problems that would prevent them from successfull completion of community supervision on a caseload that would not address their issues. The Special Needs Caseload is part of a service network that includes Community Supervision, MHMR, physicians, therapists, and law enforcement which facilitates the provision of services to this offender population.
In FY 2004, 68 individuals were served in this program, with 19 intakes and 41 discharges. The following table shows a four year comparison of this program. Total number served has decreased from the previous year.
Special Needs Caseload |
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| FY’ 01 | FY ’02 | FY '03 | FY '04 | |
| Intakes | 53 | 50 | 35 | 19 |
| Discharges | 42 | 43 | 39 | 41 |
| Total Served | 92 | 96 | 88 | 68 |
The discharge reasons included 24 successful completions, 14 program violations, and 3 inappropriate placements. In FY '00, successful program completions made up 26% of the total discharged and in FY '04 that number has increased to 56%.
The following chart shows a comparison of discharge reasons from FY '00 -FY '04:
