The book "Criminalization of Mental Illness: Crisis and Opportunity for the Justice System" by Risdon N. Slate and W. Wesley Johnson provides an in-depth analysis of the increasing incarceration of individuals with serious mental illnesses in the United States. Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant shift from institutional to community-based psychiatric care, leading to a rapid transfer of responsibility for this population from mental health systems to the criminal justice system. This shift has been accompanied by significant problems, including a lack of meaningful interaction between mental health and criminal justice professionals. However, recent years have seen some positive changes. Mental health professionals are increasingly paying attention to the needs of individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system, and initiatives such as mental health courts and specialized training for police officers are being implemented. The book covers various approaches taken by police departments to better address the challenges posed by individuals with serious mental illness, the development of mental health courts, and planning for discharge from incarceration. It also includes real-life examples from Florida and other parts of the country, providing a comprehensive overview of the issues and potential solutions. The authors emphasize that individuals with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than to initiate it, and they call for a change in the attitudes and biases of mental health professionals towards those in the criminal justice system. The book also discusses legal difficulties faced by individuals with mental illness, such as determining trial competency, insanity, and prisoners' rights to treatment. Overall, the book serves as a valuable guide for mental health professionals interested in appropriate treatment and placement of individuals with mental illness, offering insights into the criminal justice system's response to these issues.The book "Criminalization of Mental Illness: Crisis and Opportunity for the Justice System" by Risdon N. Slate and W. Wesley Johnson provides an in-depth analysis of the increasing incarceration of individuals with serious mental illnesses in the United States. Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant shift from institutional to community-based psychiatric care, leading to a rapid transfer of responsibility for this population from mental health systems to the criminal justice system. This shift has been accompanied by significant problems, including a lack of meaningful interaction between mental health and criminal justice professionals. However, recent years have seen some positive changes. Mental health professionals are increasingly paying attention to the needs of individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system, and initiatives such as mental health courts and specialized training for police officers are being implemented. The book covers various approaches taken by police departments to better address the challenges posed by individuals with serious mental illness, the development of mental health courts, and planning for discharge from incarceration. It also includes real-life examples from Florida and other parts of the country, providing a comprehensive overview of the issues and potential solutions. The authors emphasize that individuals with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than to initiate it, and they call for a change in the attitudes and biases of mental health professionals towards those in the criminal justice system. The book also discusses legal difficulties faced by individuals with mental illness, such as determining trial competency, insanity, and prisoners' rights to treatment. Overall, the book serves as a valuable guide for mental health professionals interested in appropriate treatment and placement of individuals with mental illness, offering insights into the criminal justice system's response to these issues.