Abstract

This capstone project examines the complex relationship between mental health and involvement in the criminal justice system, emphasizing how pathways, external conditions, structural inequities, and system responses interact to shape long-term outcomes for persons with mental illness (PwMI). While mental illness alone is not a predictor of criminal behavior, the intersection between psychological disorders, social strain, stigma, and systemic failures significantly heightens the risk of criminal justice involvement. Combining four working papers, this capstone examines these relationships across individual, environmental, institutional, and community levels, ultimately arguing that treatment and rehabilitative-centered reforms are essential for improving the experiences of individuals with mental illness as they move through the criminal justice system. Part 1 examines the relationship between mental health disorders and criminal behavior, exploring how environmental, psychological, and systemic factors contribute to this issue. Labeling Theory and Agnew’s General Strain Theory were utilized to explain these relationships by examining how adverse life events, social stigma, negative police encounters, among other factors, may exacerbate one’s mental illness and increase their chances of engaging in criminal behavior. Specific categories of disorders, such as mood, personality, and neurodevelopmental, are discussed to highlight the characteristics that may enable one to use delinquency as a coping mechanism. Ultimately, there is a need to destigmatize mental health and promote the use of rehabilitative programs to decrease the likelihood of recidivism. Part 2 highlights the relationship between inadequate training and harmful outcomes, and how biases associated with race and mental illness play a role in the treatment of PwMI during interactions with the system. It also discusses how police violence may lead to or exacerbate mental health issues themselves, leading to a negative feedback loop in the criminal justice system. To address these issues, this paper explores numerous community-based approaches that can alleviate the system’s burden on PwMI. Some of these approaches include Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), co-response models, and alternative community-based solutions such as CAHOOTS and mobile crisis units. These programs and resources provide PwMI with the necessary resources and treatment to address the mental health disorders contributing to their criminal behavior, with the hope of reducing the likelihood of offending. Part 3 addresses the implementation of mental health courts as an intervention and alternative to the traditional court system. MHCs prioritize individualized treatment and support, as well as rehabilitation-focused approaches rather than incarceration. This aims to reduce recidivism and divert individuals away from involvement in the criminal justice system. Prior research has shown mixed results, complicating the determination of overall effectiveness. Program effectiveness may be subject to individual needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, highlighting the need for MHCs to be flexible to differing circumstances and levels of severity. Regardless, through reviewing existing literature and numerous case studies, this paper argues that MHCs are a more effective and humane approach to reducing the number of people with mental illness (PwMI) in the system. Part 4 presents a detailed analysis of the Tompkins County C.A.R.E. Team, a co-response model pairing mental health professionals with law enforcement personnel during crisis interventions. Drawing from agency data, demographic patterns, referral trends, and incident outcomes, this section demonstrates that co-response models dramatically reduce the need for force, increase access to mental health services, and promote safer resolutions for individuals experiencing crises. The findings reinforce the argument that shifting crisis response away from police-only intervention and toward collaborative behavioral-health models leads to more equitable and effective results. Ultimately, this capstone reinforces a central theme: mental illness alone does not cause crime. Rather, criminal justice involvement among PwMI is shaped by broader structural and social forces—poverty, stigma, unstable housing, trauma exposure, and unequal access to treatment—that influence a person’s life long before any offending occurs. These systemic barriers make it significantly harder for individuals to receive timely, effective support, increasing the likelihood of crises that draw them into contact with the criminal justice system. As a result, law enforcement is often placed at the front lines of responding to situations that are fundamentally mental health emergencies, despite not always being the most appropriate or effective responders. This reality underscores the importance of shifting away from punishment-driven approaches and toward treatment-centered, rehabilitative strategies that address core needs rather than symptoms of crisis. Interventions rooted in support, stability, and clinical care reduce repeated crises, lower recidivism risk, and promote safer outcomes for everyone involved. As shown throughout this project, treatment-focused reforms consistently produce more meaningful long-term results—improving individual well-being, reducing harm, and strengthening both community safety and public trust The research conducted in Part 4 is based in part on data collected from the Tompkins County C.A.R.E. (Crisis Alternative Response & Engagement) Team Assessment, directed by Jason Scott, Ph.D.. The research project was supported by a grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' (DCJS) Criminal Justice Research Consortium. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the NYS DCJS.

Publication Date

12-15-2025

Document Type

Master's Project

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Criminal Justice (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Criminal Justice, Department of

College

College of Liberal Arts

Advisor

Jason Scott

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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