APA Applauds Senate Passage of Cornyn-Franken Justice and Mental Health Reform Legislation

Dec 11, 2015

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the following statement from APA President Renée Binder, M.D., on Senate passage Thursday night of S. 993, the “Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act,” introduced by Senators Al Franken (D-Minn) and John Cornyn (R-Texas):

“Jails and prisons have become the front lines of treatment for mental illness despite being ill-equipped to do so. In 44 states, the largest facilities housing people with severe psychiatric illness are prisons or jails,” Binder said. “This bipartisan legislation will help improve mental health services in the criminal justice system and reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails and prisons.”

The legislation extends the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act , including support for mental health courts and crisis intervention teams; supports efforts to identify people with mental health conditions at each point in the criminal justice system and direct them to appropriate mental health services; specifically directs assistance to veterans with mental health conditions in the justice system; and increases focus on corrections-based programs and supports additional training for law enforcement officials.

“Binder noted that APA has long supported this proposal. In July, the APA, joined more than 80 organizations representing law enforcement officers, judges, court personnel, corrections officers, policymakers, faith-based leaders, mental health professionals, and veterans service organizations, to urge Congress to pass the legislation.

We strongly encourage House passage of the companion legislation introduced by Representatives Doug Collins (R-Ga) and Bobby Scott (D-Va),” Binder said.

The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psychiatry.org.

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