About this episode

The episode discusses the role of mental health courts in providing treatment alternatives to prison for defendants with mental illness, while examining criticisms regarding their effectiveness.

Hundreds of U.S. courts offer treatment over prison for some defendants with mental illness. But critics say mental health courts have outpaced research on their effectiveness. Guest(s): Grace Hauck , Investigative reporter, Illinois Answers Project  Debra Pinals , Adjunct Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School and Law School Learn more on our website . Check out our 2025 Impact Report: https://tradeoffs.org/2025-impact-report/ . Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news. Support this type of journalism today, with a gift . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Tradeoffs

Guests: Grace Hauck, Debra Pinals

Topics covered

• mental health courts
• criminal justice
• treatment alternatives
• mental illness
• effectiveness research

Keywords

• mental health courts
• prison alternatives
• defendants
• mental illness
• treatment effectiveness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Illinois Answers Project, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan Law School

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