Correctional staff are the eyes and ears of day-to-day jail operations. They are often the first to notice subtle behavior changes, early signs of mental health decompensation, or the emergence of a medical or psychiatric crisis. In those first few moments, the staff response can determine the outcome.
For decades, the default response to someone in crisis inside a correctional facility often relied on force to quickly gain control. While these tools may sometimes be necessary, overreliance on force—without a crisis intervention framework—has contributed to injuries, in-custody deaths, and other adverse outcomes for both staff and people in custody.
A Cultural Shift: From Control to Crisis Intervention
The implementation of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs in correctional settings represents a meaningful shift in both philosophy and practice. Instead of asking, “How do we control this situation?” staff are trained to ask, “Why is this person in crisis—and how can we safely de-escalate it?”
A core component of CIT is collaboration. Effective crisis response requires strong communication and working relationships among custody, medical, and mental health professionals. When these disciplines work together, the need for force can often be mitigated, leading to safer outcomes.
Facilities that have embraced CIT report a cultural change: individuals in crisis are recognized early, de-escalation strategies are prioritized, and staff feel better equipped to respond calmly and effectively. The result? Fewer unnecessary uses of force, fewer injuries, and safer environments for everyone.
Beyond the Jail Walls: Community Impact
CIT programs also extend beyond facility operations. When implemented comprehensively, they require partnerships with community mental health providers, public health agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure continuity of care after release.
These partnerships:
- Improve communication about individuals’ needs
- Strengthen reentry planning
- Support access to community-based treatment
- Open doors to additional resources and funding
Ultimately, coordinated care can help reduce recidivism, decrease jail utilization for individuals with untreated mental health conditions or substance use disorders, and contribute to safer communities.
An Opportunity for Leadership
CIT implementation is also an opportunity for leadership to foster open, judgment-free dialogue about mental health, substance use, and trauma—both among those in custody and among staff.
Correctional officers experience disproportionately high levels of stress, trauma exposure, and mental health challenges due to the nature of their work. Any meaningful discussion about crisis intervention must also acknowledge and address staff wellness.
Facilities should ensure:
- Access to confidential and accessible support services
- Leadership recognition of trauma and burnout risks
- Integration of staff wellness into training and policy discussions
- Preventing burnout and supporting staff resilience are essential to improving outcomes for people in custody.
A Transformational Approach
Widespread CIT training has changed more than tactics—it has changed mindset. Officers are trained to understand the “why” behind a crisis and to apply communication and de-escalation skills that reduce physical injuries and mitigate emotional harm.
Effective CIT programs:
- Enhance officer confidence and competence
- Reduce unnecessary use of force
- Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
- Improve continuity of care
- Build trust with community partners
In short, CIT is not just a training—it is a transformation in how facilities respond to crisis.
Find out how NCCHC Resources can support your CIT training. Based on “Crisis Intervention Team Training in Jails” in American Jails magazine by Richard Forbus, MBA-HCM, CCHP, NCCHC, and Claire Wolfe, MPH, MA, CCHP, NCCHC Resources.