Forensic Determinations of Diversion and Bail

The deinstitutionalization of the persons with chronic mental disorders was galvanized by the combination of increased legal protections for the mentally ill coupled with strong economic incentives to close inpatient facilities. Deinstutionalization has significantly reduced the number of inpatient psychiatric beds. Their availability has dropped approximately 1100% since 1955 (Lamb & Weinberger, 1998) and is likely to drop even further (Lamb & Bachrach, 2001). What happens to persons who are chronically disordered? In the absence of treatment, significant numbers become disruptive or engage in criminal behavior. Jails become a repository for thousands of persons with chronic mental disorders and have become “a poor man's mental health facility.” (Teplin, 1984, p. 69).