News & Press

MHP

Frequent criminal involvement is often due to a culmination of unmet needs—such as substance use disorder, homelessness, and health conditions—which is why early diversion or removal of an individual from the criminal legal system is best to disrupt the cycle.

MHP Policy Brief

"People with mental health challenges are better served in the community than jail...With appropriate preventions and interventions, New York can reduce the number of people incarcerated who have mental health conditions, particularly Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and other marginalized communities."

Manhattan Express News

"'When will it end,” families of incarcerated individuals and those who have served time themselves cried out at a rally in the shadow of City Hall on Nov. 23, organized by #HALTsolitary and [the Mental Health Project's] Jails Action Coalition

NY Daily News

"Death rates at Rikers Island and other lockups in 2021 and 2022 were higher than in any year since 2000, according to city Board of Correction data obtained via a freedom of information request by the Jails Action Coalition [of the Mental Health Project], an advocacy group."

Bronx Free Press

Marco Barrios, an advocate with the Mental Health Project Urban Justice Center, spent 24 years in prison. “During my time of incarceration, my lifelines were my visits, my phone calls, and my mail. There’s no way I would be standing here today if I didn’t have those three,” remarked Barrios.

Office of the NYC Comptroller

"This mail variance is just a band-aid, instead of addressing the real issues. People inside are not getting proper care, and they’re not getting programs, so they are desperate for something to fill their time. DOC needs to address that issue, not put one more barrier between incarcerated people and their loved ones,” said Marco Barrios, a member of Freedom Agenda and Criminal Justice Advocate with the Mental Health Project Urban Justice Center."