Prison and jail populations have increased fivefold since 1970. The deinstitutionalization of people with mental illnesses and mandatory sentencing for drug offenses account for some of this increase. Prisoners have four times the rate of mental disorders and seven times the rate of substance use disorders as the general population. The majority of prisoners with behavioral health disorders-mental illnesses and substance use disorders-are returned to the community without having received effective in-prison treatment for their disorders and without reentry plans that connect them to community services and support. As a result, many find themselves back within the criminal justice system in a short time, creating a revolving door syndrome that is costly in both economic and societal terms.

Behavioral health treatment has been shown to be less expensive and more effective at reducing crime than incarceration for these populations. Although treatment is not the right answer for all prisoners, it is the right answer for many in our communities. By working together, the criminal justice and behavioral health treatment systems can implement these less costly, more effective solutions to create a healthier and safer community.