Governor Kathy Hochul recently made a visit to Burlington to discuss the importance of addressing mental health needs in the criminal justice system. She highlighted how mental health and public safety are closely related, with one-third of individuals in the criminal justice system facing untreated mental health issues.
Hochul emphasized that prisons are not equipped to provide effective treatment for these individuals, leading to a cycle of untreated mental illness and recidivism. In order to address this issue, she announced investments and expansions in the budget, including $33 million specifically targeted towards mental health in the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, Hochul also pointed out increased funding for mental health facilities and teams aimed at breaking the cycle of untreated mental illness and incarceration. By focusing on mental health in the criminal justice system, Hochul hopes to reduce recidivism rates and improve outcomes for individuals struggling with mental illness. These investments underscore the importance of addressing mental health needs to create a more effective and humane criminal justice system.
