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Mental Health and Justice Services
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An excerpt from A Program Framework for: Mental Health Diversion/Court Support Services produced by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, February 2006:
Since 1995 there has been a 27% increase in the number of people with a mental disorder who have been admitted to correctional facilities in Ontario. The increased prevalence of people with a mental disorder coming into contact with the criminal justice system has raised concerns about policing and court resources, institutional capacity, availability and adequacy of resources and access to treatment and assessments.
Further, there are concerns about the criminalization of people with mental illness who are in contact with the criminal justice system, that is, people who are inappropriately incarcerated rather than provided with hospital or community-based mental health services and supports.
People who have a mental illness and are incarcerated face increased risk of experiencing more severe symptoms of mental illness, are isolated from needed community services reducing the likelihood of future access to treatment, and are at increased risk of homelessness. The needs of these people may be better met in community or hospital-based mental health services.
Working in collaboration with members of the criminal justice system and community based services, Mental Health & Justice Services offers support to individuals 18 years and older who have significant mental health issues (including concurrent disorder and dual diagnosis) and are in contact with the criminal justice system.
Our goal is to support individuals to avoid inappropriate contact with the criminal justice system, increase access to mental health and community supports, reduce the incidence of re-offending and prevent the justice system from becoming the entry point to mental health services.