The statement recommends that all correctional institutions be required to meet recognized community standards for mental health services as promoted by organizations such as the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and the American Psychiatric Association. Further, correctional health services and community mental health systems, including diversion programs for the seriously mentally ill who are charged with minor crimes, should collaborate to provide leadership for the development of communitywide assessment and triage programs to assist in the disposition of mentally ill persons who violate the law. Correctional institutions should identify mentally ill inmates and those with mental retardation. Where legally permissible and clinically appropriate, these inmates should be referred to treatment programs in the community. When this is not possible, intervention services should be provided by the facility. Aftercare services for those released from institutions should also be provided. These services may include outreach programs, medical management of mental disorders, medically supervised detoxification, toxicology screening, hospitalization, diversion programs, individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, and legal aid. 9 references