NCJ Number
134595
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1992) Pages: 107-128
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Based on the results of a symposium attended by practitioners and scholars in the justice and mental health fields, this article presents an agenda for reform of the interactions between the justice and mental health systems which includes policy, management, and research strategies related to the systemic and interorganization issues that the two systems face.
Abstract
Six major categories for reform of the interactions of the justice and mental health systems emerge to address policy, management, and research strategies related to the systemic and interorganizational issues. These strategies include: basing decisions, procedures, and policies on empirical data; improved communications between systems; treating all individuals involved in both systems with dignity and respect, ensuring the availability and delivery of mental health services and treatment programs; informing others about issues related to the interactions of the justice and mental health systems; and periodically reviewing and revising policies, management, strategies, and research efforts for improving interactions between the two systems. Symposium participants identified five categories of problems in the interactions between the justice and mental health systems: unclear or conflicting goals, objectives, and strategies; identification of/responsibility for client; no information structure; allocation of scarce resources; and other barriers which include a gap between theory and practice, a lack of accountability, fragmentation, and miscommunication. 47 references