Ohio AG to review crime, mental illness links

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is ready to have the first meeting of a task force trying to address mental illness among criminal offenders.

The group planned today to hear a presentation on ways to prevent people with mental illness from entering the criminal justice system or falling further into trouble if they’re already in the system.

The Task Force on Criminal Justice and Mental Illness is co-chaired by DeWine and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Stratton.

Justice Stratton has long been an advocate of finding ways to use the courts and the mental health system to help offenders whose mental illness led to criminal activity.

The task force will look at treatment and prevention techniques and address special mental health concerns involving veterans and juveniles.