Giving Compass' Take:

• Roger Nielsen reports that a grant will fund research into the impact of rural incarceration rates driven by mental illness and substance abuse. 

• How can funders work to identify and address drivers or rural incarceration? 

• Read networking tips for the rural philanthropist. 

An interdisciplinary team that includes Institute of Government researchers will explore the rise of incarceration rates in rural Georgia communities and the impact of jailing people who are mentally ill or substance abusers.

“This research will enable the participating counties to use data in new and valuable ways,” said Johnson, one of the principal investigators. “Sheriffs and other local officials will have valid information to inform and educate stakeholders about jail-related issues to help them make policy decisions based on accurate local data.”

In Georgia, the project will address the uneven access to mental health services and the effects of expanded probation supervision in rural counties. Initial research will focus on six rural Georgia counties and grow to include up to nine more. Researchers will gather quantitative data including but not limited to local arrest statistics, jail admissions, length of stay, charging decisions, bail and probation rates in each county.

Read the full article about assessing the impact of rural incarceration rates by Roger Nielsen at Savannah CEO.