Mental Illness

News November 12

The Courts See a Crime. These Lawyers See a Whole Life.

Pairing old-school defense with attention to real-life problems gets people out of jail.

By Eli Hager

Feature September 3

Andrew Goldstein's crime set in motion a dramatic shift in how we care for the violent mentally ill. Including for himself—when he's released this month.

By John J. Lennon and Bill Keller

News June 7

He Pocketed His Victims' Organs. Was His Death Penalty Trial Fair?

As Andre Thomas faces execution for three gory murders, a court questions jury bias and his competency.

By Andrew Cohen

Commentary February 22

A Responsible Gun Owner Despite My Mental Illness

No, it’s not mental illness. It’s guns.

D.J. Schuette

News July 12, 2017

Federal Watchdog Finds Mentally Ill Are Stuck in Solitary

A new report contradicts a claim from the Bureau of Prisons.

By Justin George

News July 5, 2017

One Bit of Good News for Immigrants in Detention

As a federal program grows, more mentally ill immigrants have access to attorneys.

By Christie Thompson

News June 22, 2017

The Mental Health Crisis Facing Women in Prison

A new study shows a striking disparity between incarcerated men and women.

By Manuel Villa

Life Inside April 27, 2017

I Escaped My Manic Demons, but My Clients Usually Can’t

A social worker struggles to keep the mentally ill poor out of jail.

By Kristen Anderson

Analysis September 15, 2016

Sandra Bland, One Year Later

Her death at a Texas jail spurred a striking amount of reform talk across political lines.

By Maurice Chammah

News July 20, 2016

Did the Cop-Killers Have PTSD?

We may never know, because “it is so easy to fall through the cracks.”

By Beth Schwartzapfel