When a behavioral health crisis occurs, many communities default to involving law enforcement. The result? Individuals in crisis are often taken to jails, an environment ill-suited to addressing their mental health needs. This approach not only fails the individual but also places an unnecessary burden on the criminal justice system. 

The justice system’s role in behavioral health crises 

Jails have inadvertently become the default safety net for individuals with acute behavioral health disorders, reflecting a reliance on incarceration rather than treatment. While 18% of U.S. adults live with a behavioral health disorder, this percentage skyrockets in the justice system, where 44% of adults in jail are affected. This creates mental illness rates that are 3-4x higher in prisons than in the general population. 

Correctional staff are often unequipped to handle these cases, and the lack of proper care can exacerbate mental health conditions. This cycle leads to higher recidivism rates and contributes to overcrowded facilities, with 66% of people released from prison re-arrested within three years. 

Incarceration's costly toll on mental health 

The financial impact of incarceration, particularly for individuals with behavioral health issues, is far more extensive than it initially appears. Beyond the upfront expenses like booking fees of $300-$400 and daily jail rates of $100+, there are significant downstream costs. These include inmate medical expenses, repeat bookings, court appearances, and warrants. 

For someone experiencing a behavioral health crisis, being placed in a jail setting can be traumatizing. Instead of receiving immediate care, individuals may face isolation, fear, and stigma, compounding their crisis rather than resolving it. Families are left feeling helpless, watching their loved ones spiral further without the necessary intervention. 

A better alternative 

At Connections, we believe behavioral health crises require health-based, not justice-based, solutions. Our crisis stabilization centers provide a safe, therapeutic environment where individuals receive specialized care tailored to their needs. We help alleviate the strain on law enforcement by offering an alternative to arrest, ensuring patients get the right care at the right time. 

Jails are not the solution for mental health crises—they’re a symptom of a system in need of reform. By prioritizing crisis stabilization centers, communities can create a pathway to healing and recovery, keeping individuals out of the criminal justice system and focused on long-term wellness. 

Download the True Cost Report Discover how crisis response centers are saving money while transforming behavioral health outcomes. Get the data that proves community-centered care works.

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SOURCES: 

SAHMSA. (2024, May 24). About Criminal and Juvenile Justice: Behavioral Health. SAMHSA. Retrieved January 21, 2025 from About Criminal and Juvenile Justice & Behavioral Health | SAMHSA 

Hylton, A., & Berk, E. (2024, August 28). How an experimental mental health unit could transform the New Orleans jail system. NBC News. from https://www.samhsa.gov/communities/criminal-juvenile-justice/about 

Vanable, J. (2021, March 24). The Cost of Criminalizing Serious Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
https://www.nami.org/criminal-justice-and-legal/the-cost-of-criminalizing-serious-mental-illness/