Emmer supports funding to treat mentally ill offenders

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) on May 7 reiterated support for continued funding of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) in the fiscal year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

“Individuals struggling with mental health challenges deserve treatment, but oftentimes access to the necessary care is unavailable,” Rep. Emmer said during a congressional briefing held Friday by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center. “This program offers solutions in order for our society to start offering treatment instead of incarceration to those in dire need.” 

Rep. Emmer was a panel participant in the CSG Justice Center’s congressional briefing on “How Three Communities Are Supporting Mental Health and Decreasing Justice System Involvement Through Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.” 

During his appearance, the congressman also discussed an April 29 letter he and 57 of his colleagues sent to U.S. House appropriators in support of funding for MIOTCRA being included in the larger FY 2022 appropriations bill. 

The program was recently reauthorized in the 21st Century Cures Act and provides states and local governments with necessary resources to plan and implement initiatives for people with mental illnesses involved with the criminal justice system in order to increase public safety, reduce state and local spending, and improve the lives of people with mental illnesses and their families, according to the letter. 

“The funding to train law enforcement on how to identify and improve their response to individuals in crisis is critical, as is the funding to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment for those who are incarcerated or attempting to re-enter our communities,” said Rep. Emmer during the hearing. “This program has already produced amazing results and improved the way our justice system and law enforcement interface with individuals in a mental health crisis.”