One in two Americans with serious mental illness will be arrested in their lifetime. Individuals with serious mental illness are three times more likely to be treated in a jail, state hospital, or other forensic setting than within the broader mental health system. These examples illustrate the complex association between behavioral health and the legal system. The Center for Mental Health, Policy, and the Law (CMHPL) fosters integrative scholarship to advance empirical knowledge, training, and practice in forensic mental health. Learn about our mission.