Hochul focuses on mental health, public safety in NY state budget

ALBANY, N.Y.(WCAX) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says the new state budget approved last weekend includes $33 million to focus on mental illness in the criminal justice system.

According to Hochul, one-third of people who end up in the criminal justice system face unmet mental health needs. She said that our criminal justice system isn’t equipped to handle mental health problems and that the prison system was not developed as a treatment facility.

“Instead of having the revolving door – untreated mental illness can fuel recidivism, we know that. Incarceration can worsen mental health, we know that. And in too many cases, the cycle goes on and on,” said Hochul, D-New York.

Hochul said the state is also increasing funding for mental health facilities and teams with the goal of decreasing recidivism.

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