This phenomenon raises the need to develop a variety of community mental health programs that are appropriate and accessible to clients and are approachable by all parts of the criminal justice system. In addition, correctional officers and mental health experts need to develop jail mental health services that will be linked to other community services. This article touches on some of the issues that arise when mentally ill persons come into contact with the criminal justice system, including initial contact between emotionally disturbed persons and police, admission and book procedures, incarceration, and release to the community. Participants at the Forensic Conference held in New York City in 1993 recommended that State mental hygiene laws should be reviewed to promote the diversion of mentally ill offenders from the criminal justice to the mental health system. In addition, the system of information exchange between the mental health and criminal justice systems must be enhanced without violating patient-therapist confidentiality. Programs for the identification of the mentally ill by police and court personnel must be implemented and a range of jail diversion programs, incorporating treatment options and community housing, need to be developed. 10 references