Still Arresting Our Way Out: Why New York Needs to Expand Its Diversion Courts

• By: James Norton, MCJ National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York State (NAMI-NYS)
• October 12th, 2026
• co-occurring disorders, criminal justice system, diversion courts, Fall 2026 Issue, mental health courts, new york, substance use disorders, treatment court expansion, veterans courts
• 3    0

For decades, New Yorkers dealing with mental health and substance use issues have been funneled into our jails and prisons and denied the treatment they need to get better. Far too often, local correctional facilities end up serving as the default mental health provider. New York is not alone in...