JLI launches new Chief Justice Initiative

As part of the JLI, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National GAINS/TAPA Center have launched the Chief Justices' Criminal Justice / Mental Health Leadership Initiative to encourage state supreme court chief justices to establish statewide task forces regarding people with mental illnesses in the justice system.

Chief justices are uniquely positioned to convene leaders from all three branches of state government and to encourage them to develop statewide, cross-system strategies that will improve outcomes for people with mental illnesses in the justice system. The Conference of Chief Justices encouraged chief justices to take a leadership role in addressing criminal justice/mental health issues in a resolution passed by its members in January 2006.

Chief justices in seven states have been selected among the applicants to receive funding support and technical assistance, including participation in a national, invite-only policy forum which was held April 30 - May 1 in Atlanta. Applications were sent to all state supreme court chief justices and state court coordinators, and the Justice Center received twenty-three applications. The following states have been selected to participate:


This project has been made possible through funding support from the JEHT and Conrad N. Hilton Foundations. Click here to read more about the project.