Specialized probation programs for people with mental illnesses: a review of practices and research

Changes in the availability and delivery of mental health care services have contributed to the disproportionate involvement of people with serious mental illnesses (PSMI) in the criminal justice system. Community corrections professionals have sought to address the issue by creating dedicated caseloads and programs for PSMI on probation. Specialized probation units (SPUs) for PSMI, commonly referred to as 'mental health probation,' have been implemented since the late 1980s. This article examines the operations and outcomes of specialized probation supervision for PSMI. To date, studies of SPUs for PSMI have generated little definitive evidence about the nature, implementation protocols, or effectiveness of such interventions. Although initial research on the effects of SPUs for PSMI appears to be favorable, most of the studies reported in the literature are sorely limited in terms of sample sizes, research designs, and outcome measures.