Coloradans who are declared incompetent to proceed in court have long faced a catch-22 in the criminal justice system that leaves them languishing in jails or state hospitals for months, sometimes even years, before they have ever been convicted of a crime. New laws, Senate bills 222 and 223, are intended to streamline the process of determining competency and hold the …
National Leaders in Law Enforcement Agree on Mental Health and Justice System Solutions
The nation’s first response to mental health crises is often dangerous for all involved, say experts. April 10, 2019 – (DENVER, COLO.) – The way we currently address mental health amounts to a public health crisis, say law enforcement department and policy leaders. The lack of access to mental health care for many communities places an overwhelming burden of mental …