National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum to Host Conversation on Jail Diversion Project

Conversations: The Definition of Insanity, an exploration of the Jail Diversion Project, a novel solution to the criminal mental health crisis. 

June 14 –(WASHINGTON, DC) On Wednesday, June 24 at 2pm (EDT), The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum will host a panel discussion featuring some of the cast of the PBS documentary, The Definition of Insanity. The film chronicles the Miami-Dade Criminal Mental Health Project, one judge’s novel approach to solving the mental health crisis that could be the model to tackle the much larger epidemic in the law enforcement system throughout America.

The Jail Diversion Project comes to life in the documentary, following a team of dedicated public servants working through the courts to steer people with mental illness on a path from incarceration to recovery, as their court cases hang in the balance.

“In continuing our mission to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement and the community, we are very excited to share innovative solutions like this jail diversion project,” said National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto. “Using their model of leveraging social services could very well provide meaningful guidance to law enforcement roles in today’s society.”

Event participants are encouraged to watch the 55-minute documentary prior to the event on June 24 to fully appreciate the content and viewpoints that will be presented. The virtual event will include:

  • Keynote Speaker: Norman Ornstein, Vice President, Matthew Harris Ornstein Memorial Foundation
  • Moderator: Nancy G. La Vigne, Vice President, Justice Policy, Urban Institute
  • Panelists:
    • Alejandro Aristizábal, Felony Diversion Program Manager, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
    • John Blackerby, City of Miami PD
    • Habsi Kaba, Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator, Miami-Dade County
    • Judge Steven Leifman, Associate Administrative Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
    • Katherine Fernandez Rundle, State Attorney, Miami-Dade County

The event, sponsored by Target, is free to attend and will be live streamed via Zoom. Access to the PBS documentary is available through the event registration page. Registration is required to attend the event: https://lawenforcementmuseum.org/events/the-definition-of-insanity-virtual-film-screening-and-panel-discussion/

For media access, please contact Mary Petto at 202-737-7130

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