Presented by: Bill Mosteller, LPC
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Individuals
 Lives interrupted
 Families broken up
 Economic cost: inmates cannot participate as workers or
consumers
Public
 Court cost
 Attorney fees
 Cost of housing and caring for inmates etc.
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Program started in October 2013
2 staff person team:
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Bill Mostellar, LPC
Maira Argomaniz, QMHP, Case Manager
Staff are officed inside the Randall County
Detention Center in Amarillo Texas.
Program Goal: to reduce recidivism, divert the
mentally ill away from the Criminal Justice
System, and alleviate suffering inside jails.
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Intake/screening
Facilitating psychiatric appointments
Working with jail medical unit to resolve issues
with client medications
Case management
Advocacy
Linking clients to community resources
Skills training
Individualized counseling
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Post-booking approaches: Screening, intake, case
management, counseling, and psychiatric services
at the jail.
Pre-trial: Help restore competency on site, work
with courts to promote alternatives to
incarceration.
Post-trial: Continue mental health treatment after
sentencing while client remains at RCDC, help
prepare clients for release.
Post release: Follow-up with clients upon release
from jail to link them to community resources and
local outpatient mental health clinic.
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Randal County
WTAMU
ARAD
OSAR
Pavilion
TPC Programs such as MCOT and TCOMMI
VA
CIT Officers
Municipal and Randall County Courts
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Reduce cost to community- fewer public
defender, court, and LE cost
Improves the lives of inmates and former
inmates
Increases participation in employment, the
economy, family
Jean has been with Texas Panhandle Centers for treatment of schizoaffective disorder since
May 2013. Jean was first admitted into TPC services during an incarceration at Potter
County Jail during a manic state as she was being arrested frequently due to her mental
illness and not having her medication. In 2013 Jean was arrested a total of 34 times, 11 times
at Potter County and 24 times at Randall County. At that time Jean lost her Medicaid and
Social Security benefits and was off her medications due to heavy methamphetamine and
alcohol use. Jean’s uncontrollable state of mania also led to damaging her relationship with
her mother and sister, her only natural supports system. It was not until late November 2013
that Jean decided she needed to break the cycle and sought out help upon a release from jail.
Jean and the Jail Diversion team worked together with the Social Security Administration to
reinstated her benefits Jail Diversion also helped Jean in receiving Medicaid again. Jean
was connected to an AA group in Amarillo and to date is not only 12+ months sober but has
also repaired her relationship with her mother and sister. Jean and her family now have a
strong relationship. For the first time in over a decade Jean is no longer homeless. She has
been living independently in her own apartment, and is cleaning houses for an additional
income. Jean is active with the AGAPE center and stable in her treatment. In 2014, Jean was
only arrested one time and this was due to a return of manic symptoms (while still in
treatment compliance). She was released on minor offenses. Thus after several changes in
medications with the help of her psychiatrist and case managers, Jean lives a more stable
life. She is actively working to increase her self esteem and worth, her independent living
skills, and most importantly understanding that her mental illness does not define who she
is a person.
Ray was referred to the Jail Diversion Program at Randall County by a municipal court judge who
was seeing Ray for his initial hearing. While in jail, Ray’s hygiene and self care deteriorated rapidly.
Ray was unable to participate in his legal proceedings due to catatonic symptoms. Ray would stare
into space and maintain a ridged body posture for hours/days at a time and was unable to respond to
verbal commands, hand gestures, or other attempts of communication. Ray’s situation was further
complicated by a language barrier as Ray is an immigrant from Asia with little to no English skills.
Jail Diversion staff learned that Ray had family in town and was able to contact them. His family
reported that Ray had stopped speaking about 3 years ago and had not spoken to his family or anyone
else since then. The Jail Diversion program was able to connect Ray to a psychiatrist who started him
on a medication while he was still in jail. Though Ray was making slow improvements after starting
medication, he was still suffering from a high level of symptoms when his release date arrived. Jail
Diversion assisted Ray in getting into the Pavilion (local psychiatric hospital) for continued treatment
following his release from jail. After several days of treatment in the hospital, Ray continued to make
improvements and was released. He was referred back to Jail Diversion staff who continued to work
with him in the community setting. Ray attended his first follow-up appointment with his younger
brother and a family friend upon being released from the hospital. During this meeting, Ray’s brother
tried to engage him in the conversation by telling jokes in their native language. At one point, Ray
smiled and spoke a few words to his brother. Everyone in attendance was shocked and pleased to
hear Ray speak for the first time in over 3 years. Currently Ray remains in outpatient services with
TPC and continues on the path to recovery.