Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Michael Knight

Abstract

Assisted outpatient treatment and involuntary outpatient treatment laws refer to the power of the court system to order community-based treatment without hospitalization to individuals with a mental illness diagnosis. Studies have linked these laws to a decrease in the use of incarceration among this population. The effectiveness of the assisted outpatient treatment law in a Southwestern state, known as Laura’s Law, has not been studied. With a theoretical foundation based on the social contract and multiple streams analysis theories, a quantitative, casual, comparative study using an independent t test was centered on determining whether the mean numbers of incarcerated individuals with mental illness were significantly statistically different between two counties in this state, one that had implemented Laura’s Law and one that had not. The results of this study indicated that the county that had implemented Laura’s Law showed a higher use of incarceration among individuals with mental illness. Though these findings suggested that Laura’s Law may be ineffective in preventing the use of incarceration among individuals with mental illness, they were supported by the theoretical framework, particularly the multiple streams analysis theory. Future studies could incorporate a wider scope (more counties, a multiyear analysis) and/or more variables (more specific characteristics of the data sample, available beds in mental health facilities). An implication for positive social change of this research includes the revision of Laura’s Law to include additional provisions such as court-ordered medications and the expansion of community based mental health and behavioral programs.

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