Asked by Darlene Johnson-Watson on Feb 18, 2024

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Describe social and historical factors over recent decades that have negatively affected the justice system with respect to mental health in the United States.

  • Deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities: The deinstitutionalization movement in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in the closure of many mental health institutions. This led to a lack of appropriate resources and treatment options for individuals with mental health conditions, often resulting in their involvement in the criminal justice system.
  • Insufficient mental health services: The justice system has been negatively affected by the lack of sufficient mental health services. Limited access to mental health professionals, long waiting lists for treatment, and inadequate funding for mental health programs have all contributed to the challenges faced by the justice system in addressing mental health issues.
  • Increased prevalence of mental health issues: Over recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health issues in the United States. This has put a strain on the justice system as more individuals with mental health conditions come into contact with the criminal justice system.
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KZ
Kimberly ZhengFeb 18, 2024
Final Answer :
Key terms and concepts that may be included in student responses:
▪ Since the 1970s, the number of prisoners in U.S.prisons has quadrupled.Nearly one out of 100 Americans is in prison, a rate 5 to 10 times that of other industrialized democracies
▪ This increase has largely to do with tougher enforcement of drug possession laws beginning in the 1980s and anti-crime initiatives in the 1990s, and disproportionately affects lower-income and ethnic minority individuals.
▪ At the same time, the deinstitutionalization movement (see the chapter "Looking at Abnormality")has led to mentally ill and at-risk individuals living in their communities without adequate care.