CIT Benefits

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