SJR67 Summary

• Designates April 5, 2017, as Stepping Up Day in Alabama to recognize efforts to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in county jails.

• Acknowledges that approximately 2 million people with serious mental illnesses are booked into jails annually, with prevalence rates 3-6 times higher than the general public.

• Notes that nearly three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-occurring substance use disorders and that those with mental illnesses stay longer in jail and have higher recidivism rates.

• Encourages Alabama counties to sign the Call to Action and participate in the Stepping Up Initiative, a collaborative effort involving the National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments Justice Center, and American Psychiatric Association Foundation.

• Urges county officials, employees, and residents to support initiatives aimed at reducing incarceration of people with mental illnesses and sharing best practices with other jurisdictions.