About the Jails

In a mental health crisis, people are more likely to encounter police than get medical help. As a result, 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into jails have a serious mental health condition.

The vast majority of the individuals are not violent criminals—most people in jails are have not yet gone to trial, so they are not yet convicted of a crime. The rest are serving short sentences for minor crimes.

Reentry After A Period Of Incarceration

Download NAMI’s Coming Home: A Guide to Re-entry Planning for Prisoners Living with Mental Illness

Getting adequate mental health treatment and support isn’t always easy in America. For far too many people with mental illness, a crisis can lead to police intervention and time in jail or prison. If you have been arrested, there are some things you can do to prepare for leaving jail or prison.

Handling The Arrest Of A Family Member