Mentally Ill in the Criminal Justice System

A comprehensive set of flashcards to assist in understanding key vocabulary and concepts related to mental illness within the criminal justice system.

Mental Disorders

Conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior, causing significant distress or disability.

Severe Mental Illness (SMI)

A category of mental disorders that disrupts thinking, perception, emotions, and social functioning.

Deinstitutionalization

The movement to transfer individuals with mental illness from psychiatric hospitals to community-based settings.

Co-Responder Programs

Teams that include emergency medical technicians and behavioral health clinicians to address mental health crises, often in conjunction with law enforcement.

Substance Abuse

The excessive use of substances, often compounding issues for individuals with severe mental illness and leading to higher rates of incarceration.

Lanterman-Petris-Short Act

A significant legislation enacted in 1969 that changed commitment laws, requiring imminent dangerousness for hospitalization.

Revolving Door

The cycle experienced by individuals with mental illness who are incarcerated, released, and then re-incarcerated due to inadequate support and treatment.

Commitment Laws

Legal regulations governing the hospitalization of individuals with mental illness, emphasizing individual rights.

Mental Health Treatment

Approaches developed to support individuals with mental disorders, aiming to stabilize symptoms and improve quality of life.

Recidivism

The tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to return to criminal behavior, particularly influenced by mental illness.

Psychiatric Medications

Drugs used for the treatment of mental health disorders to stabilize symptoms.

Poverty and Homelessness

Social factors that are often prevalent among individuals with severe mental illness, exacerbating their conditions and integration into society.

Public Perception

Society's attitude towards mental illness, which can lead to stigma and limit access to care.

Correctional Staff Training

Education and training provided to prison staff about mental health to improve their management of inmates with mental disorders.

Evidence-Based Treatment

Therapeutic approaches that are grounded in scientifically validated methods to treat mental health conditions.

co responder program pros and cons

pros

• Less involvement in the CRJU system

• Access to services

• Efficiency of officer time

• Cost savings to the community

cons

• Lack of funding

• Facility capacity and limited insurance benefits

• Lack of follow up