IBO reports charges, length of stay, and bail outcomes
Armbruster says people with both mental illness and homelessness histories typically faced less severe charges, with petty larceny most common, while those with mental illness alone had assault charges at rates similar to people with neither history. She reports longer lengths of stay for the same charges and lower bail payment rates.
We'll now talk about charges and length of stay.
The remainder of this testimony focuses on people with a prior stay only, so people who've returned to custody.
People with a history of mental illness and a co-occurring history of homelessness typically face less severe charges than those with solely a history of mental illness.
In recent years, people with a history of both needs were half as likely to be charged with the most serious charge, an A or B felony, as people with a history of neither need.
The most common charge for those with a history of both needs discharged in fiscal year 2026 was petty larceny.
In contrast, people with a history of mental illness alone, without a history of homelessness, were charged with A or B felonies at similar rates to those with a history of neither need.
Their most common charge in fiscal year 26 was assault in the second degree.
People with documented histories of mental health needs also have longer lengths of stay for the same charges than people without a history of mental illness.
For example, the median length of stay on a second-degree assault charge for people discharged in fiscal year 26 was six days for individuals with neither history,
36 days for individuals with a history of mental illness alone, and 74 days for individuals with a history of both mental illness and homelessness.
Lastly, in fiscal year 26, people with a history of mental illness had bail set at similar rates to other populations, but paid bail at a lower rate, especially those with a co-occurring history of homelessness.
People with both needs paid bail in just 9% of their stays where bail was set, compared with 39%.
among people with neither a history of mental illness nor homelessness were bare well set.
In summary, as the city considers how to support people with mental health needs who come into contact with the criminal legal system, IBO's findings show that these populations have distinct characteristics and therefore needs.
Further details will be shared in our forthcoming report.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and we look forward to answering your questions.