Emerging issues with mentally ill offenders: Causes and social consequences

Persons With mental illness and co-occurring a substance abuse disorders ar e incarcerated at disproportionately high rates in comparison to the genera l population. Reasons may include high standards for involuntary commitment , an overall increase in substance abuse and the policy of deinstitutionali zation. However, one significant reason may he that psychiatric institution s serve a social control function, which has not been appreciated by policy makers and program developers since deinstitutionalization. This paper pres ent,c provider views of the population and issues of concern for clients, f amilies, and the agencies. Discussion includes service-provider response to the population, new program models, and implications for policymakers.