Governor Hochul recently paid a visit to Burlington to discuss the critical issue of mental health in the criminal justice system. She emphasized the strong connection between mental health and public safety, with one-third of individuals in the criminal justice system suffering from untreated mental illnesses.
Hochul stressed that prisons are not equipped to offer effective treatment for these individuals, leading to a vicious cycle of untreated mental illness and recidivism. To tackle this problem, she announced significant investments and expansions in the budget, including $33 million specifically targeting mental health in the criminal justice system.
Additionally, Hochul highlighted increased funding for mental health facilities and teams aimed at breaking the cycle of untreated mental illness and incarceration. By prioritizing mental health in the criminal justice system, Hochul hopes to reduce recidivism rates and improve outcomes for individuals struggling with mental illness. These investments demonstrate her commitment to creating a more effective and compassionate criminal justice system.