Synopsis

Nearly half a million Americans with mental illness are incarcerated within the nation’s jails and prisons. The question of how this came to be, and what, if anything, is being done to alleviate their plight, remains a troubling one. The reality is stark: a significant portion of the incarcerated population struggles with mental health challenges. This complex issue demands examination – a look at the pathways that led to this crisis and an honest assessment of the current response. It compe