The Challenges Of Mental Health & Criminal Justice

Substance abuse, trauma, and homelessness can contribute to a person's complicated journey through the criminal justice system. Especially when the system isn’t always leading a person to get help or treatment. So what happens when someone with apparent mental health issues commits a crime? This week, Chris and Gabby host KC Quirk, the Social Work Unit Director at the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD). Quirk highlights what she sees as a crucial ‘missed opportunity’ in the courts, and shares ways local agencies can improve. 

As mentioned in the episode, here are the links to watch Gabby's recent investigative reports on mental health and crime, as well as related coverage of the 2014 killing of James Boyd: 

• Competency in the Courts
• Inside New Mexico's Biggest Mental Health Hospital
• Federal investigation into 2014 killing of homeless camper, James Boyd

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter (X), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.