In America, there are more individuals living with serious mental illness detained in jails and prisons than being served in psychiatric treatment centers. Most of these incarcerated people lack access to mental health services that could help them recover. As a result, they often are subject to violence and ongoing suffering while imprisoned, and they struggle to find their footing when released into the community.
2021 National Award-Winning Program
Thomas J. Moran Award Recipient
Nathaniel Project
Organization
Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services (CASES)
Brooklyn, NY
Program
Nathaniel Project
Partners
Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
New York State Office of Mental Health
New York County (Manhattan) Supreme Court
Howie the Harp Advocacy Center
2021 National Award-Winning Program
Thomas J. Moran Award Recipient
Nathaniel Project
Organization
Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services (CASES)
Brooklyn, NY
Program
Nathaniel Project
Partners
Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
New York State Office of Mental Health
New York County (Manhattan) Supreme Court
Howie the Harp Advocacy Center
Nathaniel ProjectJoel Copperman
Chief Executive Officer
Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services (CASES)
151 Lawrence Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
212.553.6354
Email
Established in 1967, CASES (the Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services) is dedicated to increasing public safety through innovative services that reduce crime and incarceration, improve behavioral health, promote recovery and rehabilitation, and create opportunities for success in the community.
In 2000, CASES launched its groundbreaking Nathaniel Project, New York City’s first alternative-to-incarceration program for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) who are facing prison as the result of felony charges. Named for a man experiencing homelessness whose mental illness went untreated as he cycled in and out of the criminal legal system for 15 years, the Nathaniel Project has earned national recognition for safely supervising and supporting clients as they work within their community to rebuild their lives.
In 2000, CASES launched its groundbreaking Nathaniel Project, New York City’s first alternative-to-incarceration program for adults with serious mental illness (SMI), who are facing prison as the result of felony charges. Named for a man experiencing homelessness whose mental illness went untreated as he cycled in and out of the criminal legal system for 15 years, the Nathaniel Project has earned national recognition for safely supervising and supporting clients as they work within their community to rebuild their lives.
CASES clinical staff working in the courts identify people with indications of psychiatric distress who may be appropriate for the Project. Working with the client and their defense attorney, CASES develops a plan to support the client’s return to the community. If the court agrees, sentencing is deferred pending the outcome of a 2- to 3-year treatment period, during which clients engage with CASES staff in intensive case management, court advocacy, mental health and substance-use treatment, medication management, and housing and employment services—delivered by a state-licensed mobile treatment team.
I spent 29 months behind bars. The judge, acknowledging that I was suffering from mental health problems and knowing that I was working really hard to get better, released me to the care of the Nathaniel Project. They helped me get housing, took me to doctor appointments and helped me get benefits as a disabled person. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Antonio Client
What makes the Nathaniel Project unique is the incredible reputation they’ve developed with the courts and the district attorney’s office. They’ve proven that when we dedicate resources into giving people community treatment, as opposed to locking them up, public safety is increased, and lives are changed for the better.”
Jeffrey Berman
Mental Health Attorney, Legal Aid Society