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16–24%
Serious mental illness among incarcerated populations
4–5%
Serious mental illness in the general population
8% of calls
Calls for service related to mental health crises
4–7.5%
Violent crimes directly attributed to mental illness
Mental Health & Police Response
Understanding the Systemic Challenges Facing Law Enforcement and Communities
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According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, police increasingly encounter individuals during mental health crises, with approximately 8% of all calls for service originating from medical or public-health-related situations.
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Additional research from the Prison Policy Initiative and the American Psychological Association supports this trend, showing a growing demand for crisis-response training and mental health coordination within law enforcement agencies.
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In high-density areas such as New York City, the impact of these encounters is magnified. According to the New York Post, just four individuals with serious mental illness were responsible for a staggering 252 arrests in the city’s subway system. These chronic, repeated contacts reflect a larger national pattern.
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Takeaway: A small group of individuals with persistent, unmet mental health needs can generate a disproportionate number of police contacts and emergency system activations.
The Overlooked Role of Victimization
Behind every statistic is a person more likely to suffer than to harm
—mental illness is a vulnerability, not a threat.
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Contrary to popular misconception, people living with mental illness are significantly more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. As noted by Restore Mental Health, The Lancet, and EBSCO, these individuals face elevated risks of physical, emotional, and financial harm.
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Additionally, data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals the depth of psychological distress within correctional facilities:
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Takeaway: Mental illness significantly increases vulnerability to both victimization and incarceration. These are not isolated issues—they are deeply systemic.
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14% of state prisoners and 8% of federal prisoners reported serious psychological distress in the past 30 days.
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Between 37–44% of incarcerated individuals reported a history of mental illness, often untreated before or during incarceration.
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