In previous years, individuals with mental diseases who committed crimes were simply sent to jail with other offenders. However, lawmakers are increasingly realizing that the best place for these individuals may be treatment centers, where they can receive help for their condition.

In fact, a recent study from investigators at Policy Research Associates found that programs that allow the mentally ill to seek treatment rather than be sent to prison may reduce the rate of post-treatment arrests and limit the number of days of incarcerations for those living with mental disease, which improves public safety.

The report, which was published in the Archives of General Psychology, states that these "mental health courts" are growing in popularity across the country. The promising results may help them spread to a greater number of districts, allowing more mentally ill individuals access the treatment they need.

"This study of mental health courts offers encouragement that they can achieve the public safety outcomes that funders and the public want," the authors wrote in their report. "It appears that mental health courts are diversion programs for justice-involved persons with mental illness and, usually, co-occurring substance abuse disorders that warrant public policy support."