Participants enter INSTEAD facing an array of social and health challenges, including mental health conditions, substance use disorders, unstable housing, and inadequate social support. Through intensive case management, they leave the program connected to community resources and support needed to address these
challenges and avoid re-arrest.
This report provides a comprehensive benefit-cost evaluation of the Integrated Navigation Services to End Arrest and Detention (INSTEAD) program from data collected from January 2024 to July 2025.
The findings indicated that with every $1 invested into INSTEAD, the diversion programming returns between $1.20 and $3.61 in savings.
“I was struggling making my appointments with the doctors, but I met my [case manager] and it’s like my whole life changed. I started making my appointments, making sure I take my meds, picking myself back up, cleaning up, taking a whole 360 in life…she kept me motivated.”
INSTEAD Participant
