Justice Library

Family member incarceration and mental health: Results from a nationally representative survey

Publication Date: Jun 14 2021

SSM - Mental Health

Findings highlight that any family member incarceration—and not necessarily the type of family member incarceration—has repercussions for mental health, and that these associations are not contingent on demographic characteristics. Given the concentration of family member incarceration among people of color and the poor, this adverse experience may exacerbate population health inequalities.

Identifying Needs Related to Managing Seriously Mentally Ill Individuals in Corrections

Publication Date: Jul 20 2020

National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

Experts identified and prioritized a total of 47 needs across the six subject areas that can inform future research and practice. In assessing the relative importance of each of the six areas, they identified two needs areas as having the highest importance: community-based treatment and reentry coordination and relapse prevention.

State Justice Institute: Improving the Justice System Response to Mental Illness

Publication Date: Apr 20 2020

National Center for State Courts

Mental Illness in Jails: A Fact Sheet

Does in-prison physical and mental health impact recidivism?

Publication Date: Mar 20 2020

National Library of Medicine

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.

How Have States Addressed Behavioral Health Needs through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative?

Publication Date: Jan 31 2020

Urban Institute

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.

Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System

Publication Date: Jun 01 2019

SAMHSA

This report provides evidence-based practices for screening and assessment of adults in the justice system with mental illness, substance use disorders, or both. It discusses the importance of instrument selection for screening and assessment and provides detailed descriptions of recommended instruments.

Sheriffs Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in the Community and in the Jails

Publication Date: Jan 01 2019

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

There is both anecdotal and research evidence that the number of people with mental illnesses being contacted by law enforcement and subsequently becoming involved in the criminal justice system is growing (Fellner 2014; James and Glaze 2006; Reuland and Margolis 2003). The increased contact with law enforcement and continual involvement with the criminal justice system creates problems for the individuals being arrested and incarcerated. This is true for the law enforcement and correctional professionals as well, who must try to meet the needs of these individuals in a context and environment not suited to maintaining their safety or mental stability.

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Correctional Treatment and Supervision

Publication Date: Oct 16 2018

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma

This article provides a rationale for trauma-informed care (TIC) in correctional services, and challenges readers to think about offending behavior through the lens of trauma. Based on interdisciplinary research and cross-theoretical literature, TIC can help in our quest to develop relevant and successful programs, practices, and policies, and the best methods for delivering them. Using Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s core principles of TIC, this article will make suggestions for the implementation of trauma-informed service delivery and practices across correctional settings. The authors translate trauma-informed concepts into practice behaviors through the acronym SHARE (safety, hope, autonomy, respect, empathy), which honors the principles of TIC recommended by SAMHSA and the principles of effective correctional rehabilitation. TIC in corrections may help improve the desired outcomes of successful re-entry and reduced recidivism.

Managing Mental Illness in Jails: Sheriffs Are Finding Promising New Approaches

Publication Date: Sep 01 2018

Police Executive Research Forum

This report summarizes a PERF conference that was one of the first major projects of our Sheriffs Initiative. We examined the issue of managing mental illness in jails because many sheriffs told us it is the most complex challenge they face today. Mental illness is not an activity that sheriffs’ offices historically needed to manage. But with the crisis in America’s mental health system today, sheriffs have had little choice but to step up and address this problem head on.