Justice Library

Sociodemographic Characteristics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders Among Adolescent-Limited, Adult-Onset, Life-Course-Persistent Offenders and Nonoffenders This study compared sociodemographic characteristics, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and substance use and psychiatric disorders between adolescent-limited (AL), adult-onset (AO), life-course-persistent (LP) and nonoffender (NO) groups using a large U.S. general population survey. the results of this study identified several sociodemographic factors, ACEs, and types of psychopathology that differentiate AL, AO, LP, and NO offenders that can help inform prevention and intervention strategies designed to prevent offending and shorten criminal careers

State Justice Institute: Improving the Justice System Response to Mental Illness Mental Illness in Jails: A Fact Sheet

Does in-prison physical and mental health impact recidivism? The purpose of this study is to determine whether in-prison physical and mental health, as well as changes to an individual's health upon release from prison, are related to the likelihood of recidivating.

National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care Best Practice Toolkit The National Guidelines for Crisis Care – A Best Practice Toolkit advances national guidelines in crisis care within a toolkit that supports program design, development, implementation and continuous quality improvement efforts. Itis intended to help mental health authorities, agency administrators, service providers, state and local leaders think through and develop the structure of crisis systems that meet community needs. This toolkit includes distinct sections for:
1. Defining national guidelines in crisis care;
2. Tips for implementing care that aligns with national guidelines; and
3. Tools to evaluate alignment of systems to national guidelines. 

Behavioral Health Crisis and Diversion from the Criminal Justice System: A Model for Effective Community Response Multiple leaders, champions, and stakeholders were interviewed, and programs and facilities in four communities observed, to inform this report highlighting promising practices of crisis diversion facilities

How Have States Addressed Behavioral Health Needs through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative? People with behavioral health disorders are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, which is often ill-equipped to meet their needs. In this brief, we highlight strategies states engaged in the Justice Reinvestment Initiative have used to better respond to people with behavioral health disorders, including improving identification of people with these disorders, enhancing diversion mechanisms, expanding treatment, and improving supervision practices.

Challenges and Opportunities to Meet the Mental Health Needs of Underserved and Disenfranchised Populations in the United States This article investigates the gap in access to and quality of mental health care in the United States. This work first discusses how minority populations are most affected by the treatment gap. It summarizes recent literature on the topic for better understanding the needs of psychiatrically underserved and disenfranchised populations and the causes of mental health disparities. It reviews some of the barriers to behavioral health care, including lack of insurance coverage, lack of community-based interventions, unequal access to evidence-based practices, stigma, mental health workforce shortages, and geographical maldistribution of providers. Second, it reviews opportunities to address these disparities. The article provides examples of effective interventions that researchers worldwide have already implemented to address the gap of mental health services within the collaborative care model and global mental health initiatives. Telepsychiatry and improvements in training of the mental health workforce are also listed as useful implementations to overcome the treatment gap for patients seeking mental health care.

Trauma-Informed Care and Cultural Humility in the Mental Health Care of People From Minoritized Communities This article outlines general principles of trauma-informed care and ways to enact it. Because the situations in which trauma arises, the ways in which it is conceptualized, and how patients respond to it are influenced by both culture and individual factors, a cultural humility approach is also described and recommended. Psychiatrists can navigate the complex terrain of cultures and social backgrounds in the clinical encounter and can promote healing when treating patients who have experienced trauma by adopting a trauma-informed care approach and an attitude of cultural humility.

Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth The goal of this guide is to provide interventions to treat for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and suicide attempts among youth. It provides research on implementation and examples of the ways that these recommendations can be implemented.

Creating Cultures of Care: Supporting the Whole Child through Trauma-Informed Practice This brief offers a framework for how trauma-informed practice complements positive youth development, while illustrating the bridge between theory and practice. You’ll read about the work of two specific communities—one in Oregon and one in Missouri—which are engaged in collaborative, on-the-ground efforts to make healthy schools that support all young people the norm and not the exception. These communities serve as an inspiration to others across the country as they lead the way in creating healthier school environments where every child can thrive