Isomorphic Pressures on Jail Diversion: From Serious Mental Illness to Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract

This article explains how jail diversion introduced in one Midwestern county changed its focus over time from persons with serious mental illness (PSMI) to persons with opioid use disorder (POUD). Applying the theory of institutional isomorphism, the authors use both qualitative interview and quantitative program data to explore the isomorphic pressures that caused programming change resulting from an opioid addiction crisis at the expense of arrested PSMI not appropriate for treatment with Vivitrol®.