MCCCD Program Description

Mental Health Conditions and the Criminal Justice System

Course: AJS255

First Term: 2024 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: An introduction to methods police, court, and correctional personnel employ specific to those with mental health conditions. Covers various types of mental health conditions and police emergency responses to persons in crisis. Examines how criminal and civil courts intersect with persons diagnosed with mental disorders; includes diversion programs and the correctional response both within the community and under confinement.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Analyze the historical trajectory of behavior and mental health within societal and criminal justice contexts. (I, II) 2. Design proposals for ethical, equitable, and effective policies addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system. (I-VII) 3. Evaluate the role of police in dealing with persons in crisis and the effectiveness of current strategies. (III) 4. Investigate the impact of mental health conditions on court proceedings and the potential for reform. (IV) 5. Examine the intersection of criminal law and mental health, including competency and insanity. (IV, VII) 6. Examine the treatment and management of individuals with mental health issues within the correctional system. (V-VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. History A. Culture and societal views B. Treatment through the ages C. Modern reform periods D. Institutionalization, de-institutionalization, homelessness, and addictions II. Mental health conditions A. International classification of diseases B. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders C. Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) III. Police emergency response A. The Americans with Disabilities Act B. Violence and persons in crisis C. Best practices D. De-escalation E. Collaborative response teams F. Police officer mental health IV. Criminal court responses A. The law and mental disorders B. Competency and insanity C. Civil commitment D. Diversion programs V. Corrections A. Mental health conditions and incarceration B. Inmate rights to care VI. Community corrections A. Supervision challenges and opportunities B. Special community programs VII. Juveniles and mental health A. Differences between adult and juvenile criminal justice systems B. Common juvenile mental health disorders C. Programs

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 27, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.