Mentally Ill Offenders Involved With the U.S. Criminal Justice System

Christine M Sarteschi

doi:10.1177/2158244013497029

Abstract

This paper sought to synthesize what is currently known about mentally ill offenders in American jails and prisons based upon the most recent government and congressional reports and relevant literature review. The primary goal is to provide a detailed picture of the status of mentally ill offenders—including prevalence, basic demographic information, bio-psycho-social status, mental health, and family histories—and also to identify the problems, conditions, and obstacles faced while under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system. Mentally ill offenders are constitutionally guaranteed basic mental health treatment. A review of the literature indicates that this constitutional guarantee is not being adequately fulfilled. Implications and suggestions for change are discussed.

Highlights

On May 23, 2011, the U.S Supreme Court ordered the release of 33,000 prisoners from California prison facilities
Plata (2011), California state prisons had operated at 200% capacity for more than a decade
The primary goal is to provide a detailed picture of the status of mentally ill offenders—including prevalence, basic demographic information, bio-psycho-social status, mental health, family and trauma histories—and to identify the problems, conditions, and obstacles faced while under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system

Summary

Introduction

On May 23, 2011, the U.S Supreme Court ordered the release of 33,000 prisoners from California prison facilities. Ditton found in a 1999 report that there were approximately 283,600 mentally ill inmates in federal (7.4%), state (16.2%), and local jail (16.3%) correctional facilities, and a total of 831,600 of individuals on probation (16%) are included. In the estimation of James and Glaze, nearly 50% of all federal inmates and a majority of inmates in state and jail correctional facilities have mental health problems.

Results

Conclusion