The Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Report

The Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project is an unprecedented, national effort to help local, state, and federal policymakers and criminal justice and mental health professionals improve the response to people with mental illness who become involved in, or are at risk of involvement in, the criminal justice system.  Coordinated by CSG/ERC's Criminal Justice Program, the Consensus Project has brought together staff and members from numerous organizations and associations from across the criminal justice and mental health system.  

The landmark Consensus Project Report, which was authored by CSG and its project partners, reflects the results of a series of meetings among 100 of the most respected criminal justice and mental health practitioners in the country. Since the release of the report in June 2002, the Consensus Project has continued to promote practical, flexible approaches to this issue through educational presentations, technical assistance, and the dissemination of information about programs, research, and policy developments in the field.

The Consensus Project Web site, www.consensusproject.org, provides access to the Project Report, information about relevant research, statistics, and Web-based resources, and a searchable database of programs from around the country, which allows visitors to communicate with program administrators online.  In addition, it highlights news from around the field, including new studies, legislation, and other initiatives.  For more information contact contact Matt Schwarzfeld.

Table of Contents:

• Executive Summary
• Advisory Boards
• Introduction
• Chapter I: Involvement with the Mental Health System
• Chapter II: Contact with Law Enforcement
• Chapter III: Pretrial Issues, Adjudication and Sentencing
• Chapter IV: Incarceration and Reentry
• Chapter V: Improving Collaboration
• Chapter VI: Training and Building Community Awareness
• Chapter VII: Measuring and Evaluating Outcomes
• Chapter VIII: Elements of An Effective Mental Health System