Examining Incarceration Drivers and Promising Solutions Issue Brief
California’s Justice-Involved (JI) Initiative, part of the CalAIM reform, aims to reduce incarceration by addressing the health and social needs of justice-involved individuals. Through expanded Medi-Cal coverage, Enhanced Care Management, and Community Supports, the initiative provides critical services to support reentry and reduce recidivism.
Launched in Inyo, Santa Clara, and Yuba counties in 2024—with statewide rollout expected by 2026—the JI Initiative operates under a federal Section 1115(b) waiver. However, potential funding cuts and the passage of Proposition 36 introduce new challenges to implementation.
This ITUP Fact Sheet highlights insights from Shasta, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties, rural communities navigating service gaps, social drivers of incarceration, and community-led solutions to support justice-involved populations.