AL SJR70

Approximately 2 million people with serious mental illnesses are booked into jail each year, with prevalence rates 3-6 times higher than in the general public.

Almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-occurring substance use disorders, and they stay longer in jail with higher recidivism rates upon release.

County jails spend 2-3 times more on adults with mental illnesses requiring interventions compared to those without such treatment needs.

Legislature encourages Alabama counties to sign the "Call to Action" to reduce people with mental illnesses in county jails and participate in the Stepping Up Initiative through partnerships with the National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments Justice Center, and American Psychiatric Association Foundation.

Counties are encouraged to share lessons learned with other counties statewide and nationally to support reducing mental illness in the criminal justice system.