Mental Health

Below, we’ve curated virtually all of the research about the relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system available online.

U.S. prisons and jails incarcerate a disproportionate amount of people who have a current or past mental health problem, and facilities are not meeting the demand for treatment. Police are also often used to respond to mental health crises, despite their involvement frequently resulting in violence or incarceration. The research below expands on mental health policies, practices, and inequities affecting justice-involved people. You can also see a selection of our other research on health in prisons on our Health page.

Key Statistics:

• Percent of people in state prisons who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder: 43% +
• In locally-run jails: 44% +
• Number of people experiencing "serious psychological distress" in jails: 1 in 4 +
• Percent of people in federal prisons who reported not receiving any mental health care while incarcerated: 66% +
• In state prisons: 74% +
• Percent of police shootings in 2015 that involved a mental health crisis: 27% +
• Portion of people jailed 3+ times within a year who report having a moderate or serious mental illness: 27% +
• Lasting effects of incarceration: post-traumatic stress, anxiety, impaired decision-making, and more +