SJC Exchange Library

Originally posted by Ashley Krider on 03/05/2025

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We're excited to announce a new PRI resource that outlines key questions to help researchers and practitioners decrease waitlists and length of stay in the competence to stand trial (CST) process. Organized around the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), the guide offers targeted questions for each intercept to identify gaps, improve decision-making, and develop effective diversion and restoration strategies.

CST arises when individuals involved with the criminal legal system exhibit conditions impairing their ability to proceed with a criminal case, often leading to lengthy, costly evaluations and extended detentions that strain mental health systems and result in harmful outcomes. Many jurisdictions are exploring improvements to this process, including alternatives to inpatient restoration-such as jail-based or community-based programs-and diverting individuals with misdemeanor charges. To ensure efficiency and appropriateness, it is essential to understand local decision points, laws, resources, and gaps when developing CST and competence restoration strategies.

This brief was developed by Policy Research, Inc. with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Safety and Justice Challenge.

Check it out here! https://www.prainc.com/resources/mapping-cst-process-questions/

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Ashley Krider
Assistant Director, SJC IMPACT Network
Policy Research, Inc.