Justice Center Publications

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Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses: The Essential Elements of Specialized Probation Initiatives
Identifies 10 key components found in successful initiatives to improve outcomes for people with mental illnesses under probation supervision. This first-of-its-kind report provides specific recommendations to probation and mental health policymakers and practitioners for effectively responding to this population's complex treatment and service needs while improving public safety and health. (download)

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Frequently Asked Questions about June, 2009 Psychiatric Services Study of Serious Mental Illness in Jails
Provides responses to common questions of interest to policymakers about the new study's findings. (download)

Local Program Example

JMHCP Grantee (2008) -- AIM Higher Program - San Francisco

The AIIM Higher Program (Assess, Identify Needs, Integrate Information, and Match to Services) seeks to improve problems with San Francisco's juvenile justice system with an implementation and expansion grant. The program will address the following problems in the juvenile justice system: (1) assessment, (2) information sharing, (3) planning for level of care, and (4) identifying appropriate community-based services.

JMHCP Grantee (2008) -- Alameda County Justice and Mental Health Planning Collaboration

In this project, the Alameda County Justice and Mental Health Planning Collaboration will develop a strategic plan to ensure that youth involved in the juvenile justice system receive appropriate mental health screening and treatment.

JMHCP Grantee (2008) -- St. Louis Youth Diversion Project

The St. Louis Youth Diversion Project will expand the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a collaborative effort to improve the availability and access to community-based behavioral and mental health services for youth involved with the juvenile court system.

Media Clips

NPR (CA) — How do you hold mentally ill offenders accountable?

12/21/11 — "Mental health and law enforcement officials in California are trying to find ways to hold violent psychiatric patients accountable without punishing people for being sick."

Detroit Free Press Columnist (MI) — After closing psychiatric hospitals, Michigan incarcerates mentally ill

11/27/11 — "Over the last two decades, changes in state policy and big cuts in funding for community mental health care have pushed hundreds of thousands of mentally ill people into county jails and state prisons."

Research/Document Library

Beyond Bars: Mental Health-Addictions and Criminal Justice Collaborations

This issue of the National Council Magazine focuses on the crisis in our nation's jails and prisons resulting from men and women with mental illnesses and substance use disorders incarcerated due to the lack of treatment opportunities and emphasizes the possibilities of effective services.

Explore the Justice Center’s Websites
CSG Justice Center Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Justice Reinvestment National Reentry Resource Center Reentry Policy Council