[New Book Release] Entangled: How People With Serious Mental Illness Get Caught in Misdemeanor Systems

Edited by Leah G. Pope, Ph.D., Amy C. Watson, Ph.D., Jennifer D. Wood, Ph.D., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H.

Entangled: How People With Serious Mental Illness Get Caught in Misdemeanor Systems is a comprehensive examination of the disproportionate representation of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) in the criminal legal system. The book delves into the behaviours, contexts, and systemic failures that lead to frequent misdemeanor arrests among this population. Drawing on data from a mixed-method, multisite study across Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, the contributors—experts in anthropology, social work, criminology, and psychiatry—highlight how underfunded social and mental health services, along with a shortage of affordable housing, contribute to this pressing issue. The volume provides historical perspectives and case studies and also advocates for reforms emphasising racial equity and a multisystem approach to support recovery and integration for individuals with SMI.