mental health & criminal justice partnership

The Mental Health & Criminal Justice Partnership (MHCJP) was created by House Bill 990 in 2005. Since its inception in 2005, the MHCJP has been meeting monthly to improve services for individuals with mental illnesses who become involved with the criminal justice system. Members of the Partnership include the Division of Corrections, Mental Hygiene Administration, Department of Human Resources Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration, Maryland judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, Mental Health Association of Maryland, NAMI-MD, On Our Own of Maryland, and other advocates and interested parties.

Many of the Partnership’s efforts have served to improve community re-entry for individuals with and without mental health needs. Current MHCJP Action Items include:

  • MVA issuance of State ID cards to inmates prior to release
  • Provision of a 30-day supply of psychiatric medication upon release
  • Training for correctional officers, police officers and parole and probation officers on mental health issues
  • Medicaid benefits—suspending eligibility and expediting new applications
  • Securing the initial appointment with an outpatient mental health provider within 2-4 weeks of release

 

Read the November 2011 MHCJP Progress Report!

Meetings are open to all interested parties.
For more information, contact: