Mental Health in Criminal Justice: Policy and Practice Training Course

Mental Health in Criminal Justice: Policy and Practice Training Course

Introduction

The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system has become a growing concern among policymakers, correctional administrators, legal practitioners, and healthcare professionals. With increasing numbers of individuals with mental health conditions entering jails, prisons, and court systems, there is an urgent need for evidence-based training that equips professionals with the tools, policies, and practices necessary to address these challenges. Mental Health in Criminal Justice: Policy and Practice Training Course delivers in-depth training on mental health disorders, diversion programs, legal standards, and ethical frameworks that support humane and effective justice responses.

Designed for professionals across the criminal justice and behavioral health continuum, this course blends policy analysis, real-world case studies, and interactive learning. Participants will explore key areas such as mental health courts, crisis intervention strategies, trauma-informed care, and reentry planning. By the end of this program, attendees will gain a robust understanding of how to create and implement mental health policies that balance public safety with compassionate, rights-based approaches to care. This course also aligns with global reform trends aiming to decriminalize mental illness and reduce recidivism through systemic change.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the impact of mental illness on criminal behavior and justice involvement.
2. Analyze current mental health legislation and policies within the criminal justice system.
3. Explore the role of law enforcement in mental health crisis response.
4. Develop knowledge on trauma-informed criminal justice practices.
5. Examine the legal and ethical challenges in mental health adjudication.
6. Evaluate the structure and impact of mental health courts and diversion programs.
7. Apply risk assessment and screening tools for identifying mental health needs.
8. Identify effective community reintegration and reentry programs.
9. Understand co-occurring disorders in justice-involved populations.
10. Learn best practices in correctional mental health services.
11. Investigate recidivism reduction strategies through mental health support.
12. Promote cross-sector collaboration between health and justice agencies.
13. Implement policy recommendations to advance humane justice system reforms.

Target Audiences

1. Law enforcement officers
2. Correctional officers and administrators
3. Judges and court officials
4. Social workers in justice settings
5. Mental health clinicians and counselors
6. Public defenders and prosecutors
7. Probation and parole officers
8. Public health policymakers

Course Duration: 10 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Mental Health in Criminal Justice

• Definitions and prevalence rates
• Historical treatment of mentally ill offenders
• Key mental health disorders in justice populations
• Overcriminalization of mental illness
• Mental illness and the cycle of incarceration
• Case Study: The criminalization of schizophrenia – A U.S. county jail study

Module 2: Mental Health and Law Enforcement

• Role of police in mental health crises
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs
• De-escalation techniques
• Use of force and mental health
• Community-based alternatives
• Case Study: CIT implementation in Memphis, TN

Module 3: Mental Health Screening & Assessment

• Risk and needs assessment tools
• Psychological screening protocols
• Intake assessment procedures in jails
• Screening for suicide risk
• Barriers to accurate assessments
• Case Study: Risk-Needs-Responsivity model in Cook County

Module 4: Trauma-Informed Justice Practices

• Principles of trauma-informed care
• Impact of ACEs on criminal behavior
• Gender-responsive approaches
• Secondary trauma in justice staff
• Institutional culture and trauma
• Case Study: Women in prison and trauma histories

Module 5: Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Competency to stand trial
• Insanity defense standards
• Civil commitment laws
• Ethical treatment in detention
• Human rights frameworks
• Case Study: Dusky v. United States

Module 6: Mental Health Courts

• Structure and function
• Eligibility and diversion criteria
• Multidisciplinary teams
• Monitoring and compliance
• Outcome measurements
• Case Study: San Francisco Behavioral Health Court

Module 7: Correctional Mental Health Services

• Mental health service models in prisons
• Staffing and resource challenges
• Medication management
• Segregation and its psychological effects
• Suicide prevention in correctional settings
• Case Study: Rikers Island reform initiative

Module 8: Co-occurring Disorders

• Substance abuse and mental illness
• Integrated treatment models
• Dual diagnosis treatment in custody
• Relapse and recidivism risks
• Community support post-release
• Case Study: Co-occurring disorders program in Miami-Dade

Module 9: Juvenile Mental Health and Justice

• Adolescent brain development
• Juvenile diversion programs
• Family involvement in treatment
• School-to-prison pipeline
• Legal protections for youth
• Case Study: Juvenile mental health court in Los Angeles

Module 10: Reentry and Reintegration

• Post-release care planning
• Continuity of care barriers
• Housing and employment support
• Peer support models
• Role of community mental health agencies
• Case Study: Returning Home Ohio Project

Module 11: Gender, Race, and Mental Health Disparities

• Racial inequities in mental health diagnosis
• Gender-specific treatment needs
• Culturally competent care
• Structural racism in the system
• LGBTQ+ considerations in custody
• Case Study: Black women and intersectionality in mental health court

Module 12: Technology and Innovation in Service Delivery

• Telepsychiatry in jails
• Digital mental health apps
• Data-driven decision-making
• Electronic health record integration
• Ethical implications of AI in mental health
• Case Study: Virtual mental health services during COVID-19

Module 13: Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Role of public health agencies
• Interagency information sharing
• Joint task forces
• Funding and resource pooling
• Case management across systems
• Case Study: Sequential Intercept Model in action

Module 14: International Perspectives

• Global models of forensic psychiatry
• Mental health policy comparisons
• Lessons from deinstitutionalization
• International human rights standards
• UN initiatives on justice and health
• Case Study: UK's Liaison and Diversion service

Module 15: Designing Policy for Reform

• Policy advocacy techniques
• Evidence-based reform proposals
• Budgeting for mental health justice programs
• Legislative drafting and lobbying
• Building coalitions for change
• Case Study: Stepping Up Initiative (USA)

Training Methodology

• Instructor-led interactive lectures
• Scenario-based role playing
• Group discussions and peer learning
• Case study analysis and debriefs
• Policy brief writing workshops
• Assessment through project simulation and presentations

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.