NAMI Releases Issue Brief Exploring Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy

Mar 21, 2024

In recognition of National Criminal Justice Month, NAMI released a new publication, Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy. This issue brief provides policy recommendations and highlights successful state legislation from 2023 to reduce criminal justice system-involvement for people with mental illness.

People with mental illness are overrepresented in our nation’s jail and prisons. State policymakers have the opportunity to shape public policies to divert individuals away from incarceration and towards care. Many of the new state laws described in this brief were championed by NAMI State Organizations and their advocates. The brief covers five policy areas:

• Diversion
• Juvenile Justice
• Conditions in Custody
• Competency Restoration
• Civil Commitment

The brief is the first publication in a larger series – NAMI’s 2023 State Legislation Issue Brief Series – which will also examine new state mental health laws from 2023 addressing access to care, 988 and crisis services, and youth mental health. Access Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy here.