The Disproportionate Representation of People with Mental Health Disorders in Our Jails and Prisons
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that approximately 2 million individuals with a mental health disorder are booked into jails in the United States each year.
As noted in their publication on Decriminalizing Mental Illness, “people with mental illnesses are more likely to encounter police than get medical attention.” Studies show that individuals with mental illnesses stay almost 2x as long in jail compared with other inmates booked with similar offenses.
Non-Violent Offenders
Despite the belief that individuals with mental health disorders commit violent crimes, the majority of people with a mental illness that are booked into jail are non-violent offenders. Once in jail, few people with mental illnesses have access to sufficient treatment.
NAMI is calling on cities and states to invest in “community-based treatment” that focuses on addressing the underlying illness in lieu of incarceration.
Mental Illness and Crime Facts
NAMI reports that “1 in 4 people who die in officer-involved shootings are in a mental health crisis.” Individuals with “serious mental illness” are incarcerated at a substantially higher rate compared with others. Inmates with mental health disorders also stay in jail longer than other inmates.
Options for People in California
In California, individuals who have a mental illness and are charged with a crime may be eligible for a pretrial diversion program that keeps them out of jail. As a condition of the program, the offender must successfully complete a treatment program.
If you are facing a mental health crisis or have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and have been charged with a crime, you should talk to your attorney about your options. You may be eligible to enroll in mental health diversion and obtain treatment for your disorder.