CJFS 3715 - Mental Health and Criminal Justice

Goals: To develop an understanding of the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system by examining research, public policy, history, and contemporary issues.

Content: Students will understand how mental health and serious mental illness interact with policing, courts, and corrections. Topics include the relationship between mental illness and crime, the criminalization of mental illness, mental illness in jails and prisons, evidence based practices for working with mentally ill offenders, de-escalation techniques for police officers, prevention and intervention policies, and the impact of trauma on the mental health or system professionals.

Taught: Annually, spring

Prerequisite: CJFS 1120 or LGST 1110

Credits: 4