IBO finds higher mental illness and homelessness among TGNC people and cis women
Armbruster says TGNC and non-binary people are a small share of the jail population but 93% had a history of mental illness and 67% also had homelessness. Cisgender women also had higher rates than cisgender men, and people with homelessness histories tended to be older.
IBO found that certain groups of people in custody were more likely to have a history of mental illness and or homelessness.
When looking at differences across gender, IBO found that while transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary people, TGNC and BI people,
are a very small share of the jail population, they have higher rates of mental illness and homelessness than cisgender people in custody.
93% had a history of mental illness, and 67% also had a co-occurring history of homelessness.
They were also more likely to have a prior stay.
in DOC custody.
Cisgender women, who make up about 10% of the jail population in 2026, were also more likely to have a history of mental illness and a co-occurring history of homelessness compared with cisgender men.
Given the higher level of mental health and housing support needed among TGNC and BI people and cisgender women, increasing services for complex needs would support these groups in particular.
People with a history of homelessness also tend to be older, including people with a co-occurring history of mental illness and particularly people who also have a prior jail stay.
Among those with a prior stay, the median age for people with neither a history of homelessness nor mental illness was 33.
For people who had history of both, the median age was 39.
The link between incarceration, accelerated aging, and poor health outcomes has been well established.
Outside of carceral settings, people are typically considered older adults beginning at age 65.
In correctional settings, that threshold is 55.