Criminal Justice
Law enforcement officers are often the first responders to mental health crises, and jails and prisons have become a default treatment system. Effective and proactive strategies can reduce the involvement of people with mental health challenges in the criminal justice system.
“California counties should work together collaboratively to bring major stakeholders to the table, to pool their budgets and resources to make sure they have adequate alternatives to criminal justice involvement for people with mental health needs.”
Goal/Opportunity
The Commission seeks to use all its tools – research, policy development, financial incentives, and technical assistance – to help counties and their community partners build proactive and effective service systems that reduce criminal justice system involvement.
Staff is evaluating data to understand better the relationship between mental health services and justice involvement.
The Commission is working with state and county partners to implement its Together We Can: Reducing Criminal Justice Involvement for People with Mental Illness report.
The Commission’s Innovation Incubator supports counties working to develop data-informed, outcome-oriented, and collaborative service systems.
Background
In 2016, the Commission initiated a policy project to develop statewide recommendations to prevent people with mental health challenges from becoming involved with criminal justice systems.
In November 2017, the Commission adopted its Together We Can report. In 2018 the Commission received authorization for $5 million in state funding over two fiscal years to develop the Innovation Incubator and work with counties to carry out the report’s recommendations.
Next Steps
Project Status Reports & Updates
Together We Can: Reducing Criminal Justice Involvement for People with Mental Illness
Reach out to learn more about the role of Criminal Justice
Resources