Mental Health and the Justice System

What is the issue?

Mental health problems and illnesses among persons involved in the criminal justice system remain substantially higher than in the general population — a discrepancy that is also increasing.

Persons who are justice-involved and living with mental health problems and illnesses face a variety of challenges that can worsen their mental health. Incarceration experiences and stressors can intensify existing conditions, create new ones, and hinder recovery and healing. Among these stressors are

being isolated from their community supports and services upon incarceration

facing inadequate or unavailable mental health services in corrections facilities (e.g., fragmented, not culturally safe or trauma informed)

having to rely on segregation and pharmacology as the primary means of intervention

grappling with stigma, discrimination, and systematic exclusion from employment, housing, and health services after their discharge.

What are we doing?

We are helping to further a broad range of initiatives to support the mental health needs of persons involved in the criminal justice system. These initiatives seek to

mobilize key stakeholders and engage with persons who have lived experience

disseminate best practices

promote evidence-based research

identify strategies to improve services and supports that address their mental health needs.

As part of this work, we offer a growing range of resources:

Mental Health and Justice One Pager

Some quick facts on mental illness among persons who are justice involved.

The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Involved Persons

A rapid scoping review, developed in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, that looks into existing research and policies on the mental health needs of persons who are justice involved. It seeks to guide the development of future research and policy by highlighting what is known and where gaps remain.

Key Messages
A series of infographics depicting key messages from The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Involved Persons, designed to give policy makers and researchers a glimpse into the full rapid scoping review.

Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: “What We Heard”

A report summarizing key themes from the rapid scoping review, key informant interviews, and a national survey. It summarizes the main challenges and opportunities on improving mental health for persons who are justice involved and highlights the specific mental health needs of priority populations.

TEMPO: Police Interactions

A national framework for police training and education, created in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. It is designed to help police officers recognize mental health problems and illnesses and respond appropriately and empathically.

The National Trajectory Project

An MHCC-sponsored program that traced the path of persons declared not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder through mental health and criminal justice systems in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Its objectives included exploring the profiles of those accused, the operation of criminal justice provisions, and the mental health and criminal outcomes.

Key Initiatives

The National Trajectory Project

Less than 1 in 10 of people deemed not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) commit or attempt homicides or sexual offences according to the National Trajectory Project (the largest known study in Canada). Forensic experts from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia analyzed 1800 NCR cases between May 2000 and April 2005, including a three-year follow-up review. They found low recidivism rates and a diverse history of clinical diagnoses and offences for the NCR population studied. Detailed findings are now available in six articles published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

LEARN MORE

TEMPO: Police Interactions

A report towards improving interactions between police and people living with mental health problems

LEARN MORE

First Responders

First responders form a unique and resilient workforce, able to cope with some of society’s most complex and critical situations. As such, tools, resources and programs must be adapted for the unique culture and operational realities of first responder organizations.

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Resources

COVID-19, Mental Health, and Substance Use in Correctional Settings: Considerations for Addressing Systemic Vulnerabilities

1.93 MB

COVID-19, Mental Health and Substance Use in Correctional Settings - Policy Brief: Highlights

234.49 kB

Mental Health and Justice One Pager

132.42 kB

Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: ‘What We Heard’ - Evidence Summary Report

551.62 kB

National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace - Backgrounder

122.60 kB

Psychological Health and Safety: An Action Guide For Employers

773.55 kB

Psychological Safety and the Law in the Canadian Workplace - The Shain Reports - One Page Overview

142.29 kB

	Mental Health and Justice One Pager Some quick facts on mental illness among persons who are justice involved.
	The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Involved Persons A rapid scoping review, developed in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, that looks into existing research and policies on the mental health needs of persons who are justice involved. It seeks to guide the development of future research and policy by highlighting what is known and where gaps remain. Key Messages A series of infographics depicting key messages from The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Involved Persons, designed to give policy makers and researchers a glimpse into the full rapid scoping review.
	Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: “What We Heard” A report summarizing key themes from the rapid scoping review, key informant interviews, and a national survey. It summarizes the main challenges and opportunities on improving mental health for persons who are justice involved and highlights the specific mental health needs of priority populations.
	TEMPO: Police Interactions A national framework for police training and education, created in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. It is designed to help police officers recognize mental health problems and illnesses and respond appropriately and empathically.
	The National Trajectory Project An MHCC-sponsored program that traced the path of persons declared not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder through mental health and criminal justice systems in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Its objectives included exploring the profiles of those accused, the operation of criminal justice provisions, and the mental health and criminal outcomes.

What is the issue?

What are we doing?

Key Initiatives

Resources

Related Initiatives

Multimedia