CJUS 640 - Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory (or Other) Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): CJUS 500 and CJUS 510
Restriction(s): Students must be enrolled in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program

Corequisite(s): None

This course explores the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system in the United States, examining current debates surrounding outcomes for people interacting with the criminal justice system, who are classified as exhibiting mental illness. This course will review the unique issues and best practices for each component of the criminal justice system - law enforcement, courts and jails/prisons. The latter part of the course will identify different types of treatment which include community based, family support, and peer networks.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Assess the relationship between mental illness and criminal behaviors within the criminal justice system.
Explore the challenges faced by criminal justice professionals when dealing with mentally ill offenders.
Evaluate best practices when dealing with mentally ill offenders for each component of the criminal justice system - law enforcement, courts, and jails/prisons.
Develop potential solutions to mental health issues in policing and prisons using best-practice principles and the involvement of stakeholders.