Goals to guide the interactions of the mental health and justice systems

Interactions occur routinely between the mental health and justice systems, yet they are hindered by misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding their proper course. In addition, a number of outside forces shape these interactions and complicate efforts to improve them. In order to more clearly delineate and facilitate these interactions, 50 professionals concerned with these interactions were assembled as part of a symposium on the interactions of the justice and mental health systems. One of the primary tasks was to identify goals to direct these interactions. This article describes and categorizes the goals that were generated.