The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has teamed up with the Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI) to implement a program called Law Enforcement Assisted Deflection (LEAD). This initiative aims to redirect individuals involved in low-level, nonviolent offenses, such as trespassing and shoplifting, toward mental health and housing services rather than leading to arrest. According to Allison Smith, assistant director and lead coordinator of the RCSD Wellness Unit, this process eliminates the criminal charge entirely for participants who agree to the program.
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MIRCI assigns a dedicated caseworker to each participant within 48 hours, assessing their immediate needs and connecting them with housing and care services. Through this program, deputies can refer individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors carrying a maximum of 30 days, such as simple drug possession, into case management instead of the traditional arrest process.
Dr. Lucy Easler, president and CEO of MIRCI, noted that many individuals interact with law enforcement due to untreated behavioral health issues or economic instability. The assessment by case managers facilitates connections to both MIRCI and other community resources to address these needs.
Smith emphasized that the LEAD initiative allows law enforcement to focus on serious crimes while providing support to those struggling with substance use and mental health issues. Community members facing similar challenges can also access free support through MIRCI without having to encounter law enforcement first.
The deflection process marks a significant change from traditional procedures where individuals facing similar offenses would typically end up in custody. It aims to both save community resources and ensure individuals receive necessary support rather than entering a cycle of incarceration.
MIRCI’s case managers, like Tanisha Stewart, engage participants by building rapport and identifying their needs and goals. Participation in the deflection program is voluntary, providing a pathway to tackle underlying issues such as homelessness and addiction without attaching a criminal record.
Serious charges, including DUI, domestic violence, and felonies, do not qualify for this deflection initiative. More information about MIRCI and the LEAD program is available on their website.