Why the need for CIT? 

• Some persons with serious mental illness are not receiving proper mental health treatment
• Many persons with serious mental illness are in jail for illness-related behaviors
• Jails are not equipped to give mental health treatment
• Persons with mental illness generally spend a longer time in jail than other persons without mental illness

The Benefits of the Program

• Decrease potential for injury or death to police officers, persons with mental illness and others
• Decrease the number of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system
• Decrease the time spent by public defenders, prosecutors and judges dealing with persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system
• Increase the number of persons with mental illness receiving treatment