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The Forensic Mental Health Association of California is committed to the goal of first-rate forensic mental health care in California through quality education and training to the professionals who need it.

There is tremendous need for mental health care in prisons and jails; the US Department of Justice reports that about 16 percent of the population in prison or jail has a mental illness, compared with approximately 5% of the general population. One 1999 study found that the Los Angeles County Jail and Riker's Island in New York each held more people with mental illnesses than the largest psychiatric inpatient facilities in the United States. While the criminal justice system is not an ideal setting for mental health care, it is often the first opportunity for mentally ill individuals to receive the treatment they need. It's a complicated and expensive endeavor involving mental health clinicians, law enforcement, corrections, and the courts and FMHAC is committed to supporting these professionals and improving the care incarcerated mentally ill individuals receive.

We provide an essential voice in California by training forensic mental health professionals, educating the public and giving support to legislation that improves the system in which we provide treatment to mentally ill individuals.

Our main activities include an annual 3-day conference near Monterey, CA, for a wide variety of professionals with interests in forensic mental health, member updates on events and happenings in the field, and legislative activities affecting people working in forensic mental health and their clients.

Read more about FMHAC and our conference.