NAMI Maryland released Course Correction Collaboration of Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health: Advancing New and Proven Models for State and Local Government, a new report which provides recommendations on alternatives for incarceration as a means of dealing with people living with mental illness. Incarceration rates for individuals with mental illness are often excessive and unnecessary.
While important strides have been made to divert individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system, the number continues to be excessive and, too often, unnecessary. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), two million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year and many states, including Maryland, are struggling to find and implement alternatives to incarceration.
”The State of Maryland can reduce the number of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system and improve the lives of all Marylanders by building on proven, effective projects and programs and collaboration between systems. This new report aims to provide the guidance needed to address this issue,” said Kate Farinholt, NAMI Maryland Executive Director.
The report came out of a Maryland summit which was held in November 2017 that addressed these issues and identified solutions to increase collaboration between law enforcement, corrections, the courts, behavioral health, and other systems serving the needs of individuals with mental illness. The Summit grew out of previous work by NAMI Maryland and other organizations, the current Administration’s commitment to addressing these issues, recent news stories , and a Maryland court’s contempt order related to the prompt placement of inmates in need of treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
Summit participants represented a diverse group of professions and sectors, and included representatives from state and local agencies, professional associations, philanthropic foundations, the Maryland Legislature, Judiciary and Governor’s office, as well as law enforcement and correctional agencies. The summit also included guests from the Commonwealth of Virgina, who shared their experience addressing the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system, and an expert on these issues from NAMI.
Summit recommendations include:
- Improving Education and Training for Criminal Justice
- Promoting Statewide Innovative Criminal Justice/Behavioral Health Partnership Programs and Practices
- Identifying Innovative Ways to Fund Criminal Justice Services Designed for People with Mental Illness Issues
- Improving Screening for Mental Health or Other Behavioral Health Problems at All Points of Entry to Criminal Justice System
- Study Nature and Extent of Recidivism for People with Mental Health and Other Behavioral Health Conditions
To learn more and to download a copy of the report, please visit www.namimd.org.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maryland is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing education, support and advocacy for individuals with mental illnesses, their families and the wider community. NAMI members include countless families and friends of individuals living with mental illness that have been incarcerated or otherwise involved with the criminal justice system.
About NAMI Maryland
Founded in 1983, NAMI Maryland is NAMI Maryland is the NAMI state organization in Maryland. We are dedicated to the eradication of the stigma associated with mental illness and to the improvement of the quality of life for all individual affected by these diseases. NAMI Maryland provides free educational resources and events, statewide outreach, advocacy and affiliate organizational support. NAMI Maryland provides free support groups, education classes and seminars, legislative advocacy, and information for people in our community living with mental illness as well as their loved ones. NAMI Maryland serves over 30,000 people across the state.
