Economics of decriminalizing mental illness: when doing the right thing costs less. (8th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delgado, Darci; Breth, Ashley; Hill, Shelley; Warburton, Katherine; Stahl, Stephen M.
• Is Part Of: CNS spectrums. Volume 25:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 566
• Page End: 570
• Publication Date: 2020-10-08
• Subjects: economics, -- diversion, -- mental health, -- forensic, -- treatment.; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1017/S1092852919001792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-8529

Abstract

Abstract : The United States' criminal justice system has seen exponential growth in costs related to the incarceration of persons with mental illness. Jails, prisons, and state hospitals' resources are insufficient to adequately treat the sheer number of individuals cycling through their system. Reversing the cycle of criminalization of mental illness is a complicated process, but mental health diversion programs across the nation are uniquely positioned to do just that. Not only are these programs providing humane treatment to individuals within the community and breaking the cycle of recidivism, the potential fiscal savings are over 1 billion dollars.