Both targeted programs and wholesale changes are sorely needed in how individuals with mental illness are processed in the criminal justice system. Mental illness is not as directly related to criminal involvement or violence as is often assumed. Mentally ill individuals are nonetheless disproportionately present in jails and prisons. Efforts to reduce their numbers must take account of the heterogeneity of mental conditions and their changing nature. Understanding of the complex ways in which mental illness and involvement in crime and violence are related is a precondition for formulating realistic policies. The disproportionate presence of mentally ill individuals in jails and prisons will not be substantially ameliorated by new programs alone; these have limited reach and effect. Doing better in five respects is key: expand the reach of standard and innovative mental health services, divert mentally ill individuals early in the criminal justice process, enrich training of criminal justice personnel, use data more effectively, and promote interdisciplinary aftercare programs for people with mental illness when they are released from jails and prisons.

中文翻译：

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监狱和监狱中的精神病患者

在刑事司法系统中如何处理精神病患者，迫切需要有针对性的计划和全面的改革。精神疾病并不像通常所认为的那样与犯罪卷入或暴力直接相关。尽管如此，精神病患者在监狱和监狱中的比例仍然很高。减少人数的努力必须考虑到精神状况的异质性及其不断变化的性质。了解精神疾病与参与犯罪和暴力相关的复杂方式是制定现实政策的前提。仅通过新的计划就不会大大改善精神病患者在监狱和监狱中的不成比例的状况；这些影响力和作用有限。在五个方面做得更好是关键：