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Are jails replacing the mental health system for the homeless mentally ill?

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Abstract

The author explores the process of how homeless mentally ill persons become involved with the criminal justice system. The unique demands of homelessness and chronic mental illness were specifically examined in this naturalistically based study. The author concludes that a combination of severe mental illness, a tendency to decompensate in a nonstructured environment, and an inability or unwillingness to follow through with aftercare contributed to involvement with the criminal justice system. Changes in the mental health system that would prevent the criminalization of the homeless mentally ill are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work and Community Planning, Baltimore Campus, 525 West Redwood Street, 21201, Baltimore, Maryland

    John R. Belcher Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)

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  1. John R. Belcher Ph.D.
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Additional information

This paper is based in part on research supported by grant #717632 from the Office of Program Evaluation and Research, Ohio Department of Mental Health.

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Belcher, J.R. Are jails replacing the mental health system for the homeless mentally ill?. Community Ment Health J 24, 185–195 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757136

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757136

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