New Resource Available for Advocates Addressing the Growing Numbers of People with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System
The Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project is pleased to announce the release of a new resource for advocates addressing the increasing numbers of people with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system: The Advocacy Handbook: A Guide for Implementing Recommendations of the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project.
Click here to see the Advocacy Handbook.
The Advocacy Handbook, the result of a joint effort among the Consensus Project, NAMI, the National Mental Health Association, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, is available online at the Consensus Project web site: consensusproject.org/advocacy.
In recent years, there has been a growing chorus of advocateswhether individuals with mental illness, family members with loved ones who have mental illness, or simply concerned citizensurging policymakers to do something about the increasing numbers of people with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system.
"This step-by-step guide helps advocates translate their energy into effective strategic plans. Equipped with recommendations that are constructive, bipartisan, practical, and reasonable, advocates can be effective partners to policymakers generally and leaders in the criminal justice and mental health systems specifically," said Representative Mike Lawlor (D CT), co-chair of the Consensus Project.
The Advocacy Handbook represents unparalleled consensus among distinct and independent national mental health organizations. It is designed to show advocates how to implement recommendations from the landmark Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Report, released in 2002 by the Consensus Project on behalf of an extraordinary, bipartisan group of leaders in the criminal justice and mental health systems. Consensus Project staff are grateful to the leaders and contributors from each of these groups for their commitment to this issue and their determination to speak with one voice on these topics.
If you have any questions regarding the Advocacy Handbook please do not hesitate to contact Hope Glassberg, 212-482-2320.
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Online "Advocacy in Action" Survey Now Available
The Advocacy Handbook also includes profiles of effective advocacy initiatives, in which advocates have partnered with state and local government agencies to change policies or launch programs that increase public safety, save lives, and reduce spending.
If you would like the Consensus Project to profile your story of "advocacy in action" on the Advocacy Handbook Web site, please fill out a short online survey by clicking this link.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Hope Glassberg, 212-482-2320.
Consensus Project Mourns Loss of Senator Robert Thompson
On Saturday, January 29, 2006, the Consensus Project lost its founding co-chair and visionary leader, State Senator Robert Thompson (PA). The powerful chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee in Pennsylvania, Thompson was 68.
His commitment to people with mental illness and the people in the criminal justice and mental health systems who worked to serve this population was tireless. He crisscrossed the country, speaking at events large and small, testifying before Congress, and listening to the men and women working on the front lines of the criminal justice and mental health systems.
Despite all of his responsibilities and his recent health problems, he was always accessible to Consensus Project staff: he was quick to respond to an email or phone call, or to volunteer his assistance overcoming new obstacles facing the Consensus Project.
His kindness was nothing short of extraordinary, and his sense of humor made him a joy to serve. His life-long dedication to public service and his determination to improve the lives of the underserved inspired everyone touched by the Consensus Project.
He will be missed terribly.
Announcements
Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act Grant Applications To Be Released in March 2006
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) plans to request applications for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act grant program in early March 2006. Submissions will likely be due eight weeks after the announcement. Given this compressed timeframe, potential applicants are encouraged to plan and prepare their proposals in advance of the official announcement. Read More.....
Two New Studies on Mental Health Courts Now Available
The studies were funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice and were conducted by Henry J. Steadman, Allison D. Redlich, John Monahan, John Petrila, and Patricia A. Griffin. Read more....
National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation Discusses Miami Shooting and CITs
The broadcast discusses how law enforcement can respond to individuals with mental illness in potentially violent situations. Experts on the topic discuss how police and other first responders are learning to better prepare for these scenarios.
Read More.....
Open Forum on Mental Health Alternatives to Prison
Consumers, advocates, government officials, academics, and legal providerswill meet to discuss how alternatives to incarceration can be implemented to best serve people with mental illness. Read more.....
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Mental Health and Criminal Justice in the News
Articles from the Consensus Project homepage--from newspapers around the country--covering issues at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice are posted below. To access a complete list of media coverage, visit the media coverage page.
San Francisco Chronicle - An Alternative To Incarceration
1/23/06 - "Behavioral Health Court offers counseling to criminal defendants with psychological problems. Cheaper than jail, it's changing lives."
The Plain Dealer (OH) - Care of mentally ill prisoners costly for jails
1/20/06 - "Jails across Northeast Ohio say mentally ill inmates -- people once sent to psychiatric institutions -- are filling cells needed for more-traditional criminals."
Star Gazette (NY) - End solitary for mentally ill inmates, advocates say
1/19/06 - "Mental health advocates called for ending solitary confinement of prisoners with mental illness Wednesday, saying it amounts to inhumane punishment for a population that needs special health treatment."
Press and Sun Bulletin (NY) - Police on front lines of mental health crises but not many are properly trained
1/16/06 - "Incidents like the one in Binghamton where police killed a threatening man with mental problems are occurring all around the nation."
The Beacon News (IL) - Mental Health Court may convene soon
1/5/05 - "Kane County's proposed Mental Health Court could be in operation on Feb. 1."
The Los Angeles Times - A Fatal Lapse for Victim of Torment
12/30/05 - "Some say Chadwick Shane Cochran, who battled mental and drug problems, belonged in a hospital, not the L.A. jail where he was killed."
The Albuquerque Tribune (NM) - Goodbye 2005: Albuquerque is trying to maintain a good track record in dealing with mental illness
12/29/05 - "It has obviously been a year of great heightened awareness for mental health issues, especially in the criminal justice system...."
The Plain Dealer (OH) - Police get help with mentally ill people
12/27/05 - "Stevens was one of the first graduates of a program developed in 2000 by Akron police officer Michael Woody to help police deal with the mentally ill. The goal is to "de-escalate" situations before incidents turn unnecessarily into tragedy."
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