Criminal Justice Program

An Alternative to Confinement: A Compassionate and Comprehensive Solution Towards Achieving Mental Health Recovery

“Mental illness among today’s prisoners is pervasive, with 64% of jail inmates, 54% of state prisoners and 45% of federal prisoners reporting mental health concerns.” ● Source: Mental Health America, Inc:

NAMI Greater Houston has three strategic goals, one of which focuses on the “decriminalization of mental illness". We are passionate about addressing the need to offer mental health resources to individuals who are struggling with mental health issues but find themselves dealing with the criminal justice system. Through our criminal justice programming, we aim to reduce and eliminate involvement with this system by offering peer-led psychoeducation programming at four (4) sites in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Our hope is that those who need mental health treatment more than jail will be encouraged through our programs and stories of recovery. We are grateful for our volunteers who consistently dedicate their time to ensure that we are making a difference in the lives of these individuals. We are also thankful for our partners who have joined efforts with NAMIGH to provide these much-needed programs to educate and support our community.

Participant Perspectives

“They taught me that you don’t have to be afraid to seek help.”

“I learned valuable communication skills and techniques to help me stay in recovery.”

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Diversion programs also benefit the criminal justice system, allowing it to focus on more serious offenders. Such programs are cost-effective; they save courts time, keep dockets from becoming too large, and reduce prison overcrowding.

Source: Mental Health American, Inc.

Get involved with our Criminal Justice Programming. Please contact us at seacenter@namigreaterhouston.org.

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