Beyond Punishment: Helping Individuals with Mental Illness in Maryland's Criminal Justice System

Beyond Punishment is a comprehensive practical guide to assisting individuals with mental illness who interact with Maryland’s criminal justice system. It provides information and critical resources to family members and others concerned about people who are involved with the criminal justice system, whether in jail awaiting trial, in prison serving a sentence or on probation or parole. It also discusses ways to help prevent a mental health crisis from leading to an arrest and subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system, as well as how to get mental health crisis services, including voluntary and involuntary evaluations. Beyond Punishment deals with the mental health and criminal justice systems of Maryland with a focus on Baltimore City and Baltimore County. With permission from NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, it can also can be used as a template for other jurisdictions.