In California, policymakers are using data to inform efforts that
reduce the number of people with behavioral health needs in the
criminal justice system. As part of this innovative work, the
Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH)
commissioned the development of a research-based
framework to help stop what is often referred to as
the “revolving door” of involvement in the justice system. This
first-of-its-kind effort marks a significant step toward
data-driven policymaking in a notoriously complex subject—the
intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health.
CSAC is pleased to share that the
Public Health Meets Public Safety (PH/PS) Data Visualization,
which was produced under CCJBH’s contract with The Council of
State Governments Justice Center (CSG), is now available on the
CCJBH website alongside the
Final Report and
Framework Report, which categorizes the drivers of justice
system involvement for individuals with behavioral health needs
into three domains: Community, Treatment Landscape, and Crisis
Response. Public Health Meets Public Safety aims to
reduce the number of adults and young people with behavioral
health needs in California’s justice system by
marshaling data to inform policy decisions. Building on existing
state and local data integration efforts, Public Health Meets
Public Safety offers resources that support state, local, and
community leaders in this shared goal.
This tool is the first step by the CSG Justice Center and CCJBH
in their efforts to empower decision-makers and stakeholders with
the knowledge needed to decrease California’s incarceration rates
while improving public safety and health outcomes. If you have
any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Ryan
at rmorimune@counties.org or
Stanicia at sboatner@counties.org.
