IBO identifies two populations and data limitations
Armbruster says IBO analyzed DOC jail stay data through June 2026 and identified two groups: people with co-occurring mental illness and homelessness and people with mental illness alone. She notes data limitations, including lack of markers for serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and domestic violence.
To understand this population in more detail, IBO analyzed DOC jail stay data through the end of June 2026.
identified two distinct populations with mental health needs in DOC custody, those with co-occurring histories of homelessness and those with a history of mental illness alone.
Though this hearing is focused on mental health, we cannot talk about this population without also talking about housing needs.
Of the 19,000 unique people discharged in fiscal year 2026,
58% had a history of mental illness, 30% had a history of mental illness and homelessness, and 26% had a history of mental illness, a history of homelessness, and a prior stay in DOC custody.
Because DOC stay data was IBO's primary source, our analysis may not include individuals who have histories of mental illness and or homelessness documented in other data, nor does our analysis include other co-occurring needs such as substance use disorder and experience with domestic violence.
IBO recognizes the importance of these factors in addressing the needs of people with mental illness, but due to data limitations, we will not be speaking to them in this testimony.