The Issue
The extraordinary growth of jail, prison, probation, and parole populations in recent years has presented enormous challenges to the corrections system and put a significant financial strain on local and state budgets across the country. Many people who are incarcerated have mental illness: prevalence is higher in prisons and jails than it is in the general population (16 percent versus 5 percent). These individuals stay incarcerated longer than the general corrections population and are more likely to recidivate--often soon after their release.

The Response
To address these issues, jail officials and community mental health providers have established post-booking diversion programs to expedite the release of individuals with mental illness; prison officials and state mental health authorities have jointly funded transition planning programs to develop treatment plans for every individual with mental illness prior to their release; and probation and parole officials have developed linkages with community mental health providers to ensure that individuals are engaged in their treatment program.

Consensus Project Activities
The CSG Justice Center, coordinator of the Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project, provides technical assistance to corrections and mental health systems across the country working to improve outcomes for their shared population.

Click the links below for more information on Consensus Project activities in this area and resources for policymakers and practitioners working to improve the response to people with mental illness involved in the corrections system: