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Abstract: 

This interview describes the experience of Dr. Carol R. Ray, who suffers from bipolar disorder and was arrested and jailed as the result of a psychotic episode. Dr. Ray, a trainer with a local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, tells her story in an effort to enlighten corrections staff on what it is like for someone with a mental health problem to be arrested and jailed and to suggest better practices that include diverting mentally ill offenders to the mental health care system, sensitivity training, maintaining access to medications, and avoiding isolation and restraints. She cites Miami-Dade County as an outstanding example of how to refocus a non-functioning system into one that effectively addresses the needs of mentally ill defendants.

Keywords: Criminal justice system, mental illness and jails, best practices and mentally ill offenders, mental illness and criminality, Miami-Dade County and mental illness treatment

Affiliations:  1: Nutritionist; 2: Correctional Trainer.