Senate Includes $10 million for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction program

On June 26, the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) subcommittee completed the mark up of its 2008 appropriations bill. In the bill, the Senate reserved $10 million for mental health courts and adult and juvenile collaboration program grants authorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA).

Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), worked closely with colleagues to ensure continued funding for the program in FY 08. Other key supporters included Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Earlier this month the House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2008 CJS appropriations bill, which also reserved $10 million for the grant program authorized by MIOTCRA. For more information on the House bill, click here. Congress will vote on these bills separately and meet later this year in conference committee to resolve the differences between their individual bills.

House and Senate CJS Funding Comparison Chart
(in millions)

Other criminal justice programs listed in the Senate appropriations bill include the Justice Assistance Grant program (JAG), which is slated to receive $616 million and the Community Oriented Policing Services program (COPS) which is slated to receive $550 million. Additionally, $25 million was included for Drug Courts. The full text of the bill and committee report will not be made public until next week after the full committee mark-up.

The grant program, called the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and provides grants to states to improve collaboration between criminal justice and mental health agencies. The program received $5 million in FY 06 and FY 07. For more information on FY 08 appropriations or the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act please contact Sara Paterni.