BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – In her latest stop to tout budget programs, Governor Kathy Hochul focused on mental health and public safety, saying they often go hand in hand.
According to Hochul, one-third of people who end up in the criminal justice system face unmet mental health needs.
She said that our criminal justice system isn’t equipped to handle mental health problems and that the prison system was not developed as a treatment facility.
“Instead of having the revolving door – untreated mental illness can fuel recidivism, we know that. Incarceration can worsen mental health, we know that. And in too many cases, the cycle goes on and on,” said Hochul.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, Hochul touted the investments she’s already made, and the expansions made in the budget, which includes $33 million to focus on mental illness in the criminal justice system.
Hochul is also increasing funding for mental health facilities and teams – all with the goal of decreasing recidivism.