California Now Allows For Extended Detention Of Violent Offenders With Severe Mental Illness

A new California law allows state and local law enforcement to hold violent offenders with serious mental illness in a forensic placement at a state psychiatric hospital for a longer period of time after a judge orders release. Previously, state officials and local law enforcement were required to release the individual within five days after the release order. The new law allows for the individual to be held for up to 30 days to allow time for officials to coordinate housing, medication, and community-based behavioral health treatment.

The legislation is California Assembly Bill (AB) 2475 – Parole. It was signed . . .