Abstract
Decreasing criminal recidivism in justice-involved individuals with mental illness, is among the most consistently desired
outcomes by programs, policy makers and funding agencies. Evidencebased practices with track records of effectiveness in treating
mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse, while important clinically, do not necessarily address criminal recidivism.
Addressing recidivism, therefore, may require a more targeted criminal justice focus. In this paper, we describe recent challenges
to decriminalization approaches and review factors associated with recurrent criminal behavior. In particular, we focus on
structured clinical interventions which were created or adapted to target the thoughts and behaviors associated with criminal
justice contact.
outcomes by programs, policy makers and funding agencies. Evidencebased practices with track records of effectiveness in treating
mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse, while important clinically, do not necessarily address criminal recidivism.
Addressing recidivism, therefore, may require a more targeted criminal justice focus. In this paper, we describe recent challenges
to decriminalization approaches and review factors associated with recurrent criminal behavior. In particular, we focus on
structured clinical interventions which were created or adapted to target the thoughts and behaviors associated with criminal
justice contact.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-4
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9391-z
- Authors
- Merrill Rotter, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1500 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- W. Amory Carr, Department of Psychology, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853