The Who, What, and How of Interagency Criminal Justice–Behavioral Health Teams

Developing and Sustaining Collaborations

Bibliographic Data

ID21424842
AuthorsBenjamin J Mackey (0000-0002-4598-7633, George Mason University), Jennifer E Johnson (0000-0003-2540-7213, Michigan State University), Niloofar Ramezani (0000-0001-8941-4696, Virginia Commonwealth University), Maji Hailemariam (0000-0003-3730-9637, Michigan State University), Rochelle K Rosen (0000-0003-1598-667X, Miriam Hospital), Teneshia Thurman (0009-0003-6772-0635, George Mason University), Jill Viglione (0000-0003-2997-7942, University of Central Florida), Faye S Taxman (0000-0001-9530-731X, George Mason University)
Year2025
Volume52
Issue1
Pages61-78
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCriminal Justice and Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0093-8548 • E-ISSN: 1552-3594
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00938548241280391
PMID39822735
OpenAlexW4402760105
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

Interagency teams are considered an evidence-based change practice, but there is a paucity of research examining them in criminal justice (CJ) and behavioral health (BH) reform contexts. This study draws on qualitative interviews ( n = 52) and survey data ( n = 791) from BH and CJ leaders across the United States to examine who is on them, what they do, and effective strategies for building and sustaining them. Findings indicated that CJ–BH interagency teams often incorporate agencies from a range of CJ, BH, social service, and health agencies. Teamwork focused on connecting clients to resources or contributing to CJ–BH coalitions and resource centers. Although the team-building strategies learning about/from other agencies and system integration were significantly associated with developing more collaborations, consensus-building activities were not. These findings suggest that interagency teams need not necessarily reach consensus on goals and vision prior to working together, as this can be built through collaboration

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