Life On the Outside Dan Collison reports in this second of a 2-part series on chronically mentally ill offenders. Today he tells us about Richard. Richard has been arrested 137 times. He was diagnosed with a number of mental illnesses, and his behavior has been unpredictable. With help from a group called Threshhold, Richard was released to a half-way house, given medication and support. At first Richard would disappear everyday, and return to his old hangouts, but after about six months, Richard stopped running away and he's been out of jail for more than a year. He has a case worker, a daily allowance and lots of positive reinforcement in his effort to stay straight. Richard has been making steady progress but there are still reminders that his illness is not far away. He spaces out, somedays he is in his own little world. Keeping Richard out of prison has required daily oversight, money and a lot of patience.

All Things Considered

Life On the Outside

May 31, 200012:00 AM ET

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Life On the Outside

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Dan Collison reports in this second of a 2-part series on chronically mentally ill offenders. Today he tells us about Richard. Richard has been arrested 137 times. He was diagnosed with a number of mental illnesses, and his behavior has been unpredictable. With help from a group called Threshhold, Richard was released to a half-way house, given medication and support. At first Richard would disappear everyday, and return to his old hangouts, but after about six months, Richard stopped running away and he's been out of jail for more than a year. He has a case worker, a daily allowance and lots of positive reinforcement in his effort to stay straight. Richard has been making steady progress but there are still reminders that his illness is not far away. He spaces out, somedays he is in his own little world. Keeping Richard out of prison has required daily oversight, money and a lot of patience.