Governor Kathy Hochul recently toured Burlington to discuss budget programs and the link between mental health and public safety. During her visit, she highlighted the fact that a third of individuals in the criminal justice system have unmet mental health needs. Hochul emphasized that the current system is not capable of dealing with mental health issues and that prisons were not designed to offer treatment.
Hochul expressed concern about how untreated mental illness can result in recidivism and how incarceration can worsen mental health. To address these concerns, Hochul announced investments and expansions in the budget, including $33 million specifically allocated to tackle mental illness within the criminal justice system. She also emphasized increasing funding for mental health facilities and teams in an effort to reduce recidivism rates.
Overall, Hochul’s goal is to break the cycle of untreated mental illness leading to repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. These initiatives are part of her broader focus on mental health and public safety, recognizing the crucial link between the two. By investing in mental health resources and support, Hochul hopes to create a system that better addresses the needs of individuals struggling with mental illness and reduces their likelihood of reoffending. These efforts align with Hochul’s commitment to improving the overall well-being of all individuals in New York state.
