Arrest and Jail Alternatives

Summary

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature established the Arrest and Jail Alternatives—Law Enforcement Grant Program (AJA) to support community-based alternatives to arrest and jail for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), the initiative funded pre-booking diversion programs that bring together law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and community organizations. These programs aim to reduce arrests and time spent in custody while improving access to behavioral health and other community services, supporting client stability and well-being, and reducing reliance on emergency services and the justice system.

Our research team conducted a multi-site, mixed-methods evaluation of AJA-funded programs in Olympia, Walla Walla, and Port Angeles. The evaluation examined how each program was implemented and delivered and whether participation was associated with changes in arrests over time. We reviewed program policies and procedures, interviewed program staff, law enforcement, and partner agencies, and analyzed program and state administrative data. Findings highlighted both the promise and complexity of implementing diversion programs across local systems. Common challenges included staff turnover, funding uncertainty, differing expectations among partners, information and data-sharing barriers, and external disruptions. The evaluation also underscored the importance of building strong relationships early, developing broad stakeholder support, and maintaining clear communication among participating agencies.

The evaluation found promising evidence that participation may be associated with reductions in arrests over time. In Olympia and Port Angeles, arrests declined progressively following program enrollment. By approximately 12 months, participants’ odds of arrest in a given month were about 28% lower in Olympia and 15% lower in Port Angeles. Walla Walla was not included in the arrest-outcome analysis because of data limitations. Although the lack of comparison-group data means the evaluation cannot establish that the programs caused these reductions, the findings provide useful evidence about the implementation and potential of community-based approaches that connect individuals with supportive services while providing law enforcement with alternatives to arrest and jail.