About focus groups on police and courts

Many people with brain disorders have had contact with police and courts. Sometimes it has been beneficial, and sometimes it has been traumatic. The reasons and problems are truly complex. Many families and friends have sought help from police and courts. Other people have been arrested for nominally criminal behavior that probably could be controlled through treatment. Overall, we know that people with brain disorders are much more likely to have had contact with police and courts than the rest of the population. The trauma of arrest, jailing and court involvement can be severe for people with brain disorders and their supporters.

NAMI believes that good training and good policy by police and courts depends on hearing from those with experience.

Over the years, NAMI has been involved in improving the ways police and courts work with people living with brain disorders and their supporters. We are working in two areas. The first is our work with police in order to prevent unnecessary arrest, jailing and harm to people with brain disorders. We are helping to implement a national program called a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The second is our work with the 15^th District Court’s Mental Health Court which specializes in providing treatment to people who have been convicted of offenses and are on probation.

To achieve these goals we need to hear and understand the range of what happens to people with brain disorders and their supporters when they interact with police and courts. These focus groups will help.