NC program to support people with severe mental illness leaving prison

More than half of the people in the criminal justice system have a mental illness. A state program in NC wants to help them re-enter society.

by Lynn Bonner, NC Newsline
November 3, 2025

North Carolina has launched a program for people with severe mental illnesses who have been released from jail or prison that aims to help reduce the chance that they’ll once again face incarceration.

Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams will operate as pilot projects based in Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Pitt, New Hanover, and Buncombe counties. Each team will serve up to 30 clients.

The teams in Buncombe and Mecklenburg are accepting clients and two more will start by the end of the year.

The teams will offer mental health care, and help with housing, employment and day-to-day living. Teams will be available to meet with clients wherever and whenever they’re needed, said Kelly Crosbie, director of the mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use services division at the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Crosbie said the department’s been researching FACT teams for more than a year.

More than half of the people in the criminal justice system have mental health issues, said Crosbie, and a majority had a substance use disorder before they were incarcerated.

People who have been incarcerated, have a serious mental illness and are considered likely to commit another crime are eligible.

Potential clients will likely have had a history of reincarceration, a history of being unable to meet probation or parole requirements, and frequent contact with first responders, she said. They are people who need intensive clinical services from a team.

The $9.5 million to pay for the teams comes from money the legislature previously appropriated to improve mental health treatment.

Killings by people known to have severe mental illnesses have brought a new focus to the issue in North Carolina. A man with schizophrenia and a criminal record charged with the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte inspired a new state law.

First Lady Anna Stein introduced the program at DHHS headquarters in Raleigh on Monday.

“As First Lady, two of my top priorities are supporting rehabilitation and reentry programs for people leaving incarceration, and reducing stigma against people with substance use and mental health disorders,” she said.

“I’ve been traveling across the state, speaking with incarcerated men and women, corrections staff, and people with lived experience of substance use and mental health disorders,”  Stein said. “It is critical that we address the intersection of mental health needs and the criminal justice system as we focus on improving the health and well-being of our citizens and creating safer communities.”

Strategic Interventions, a nonprofit group in Charlotte, already works with some clients who may be a good match for FACT, said Derek Wilson, director of operations. The organization also expects referrals from the NC Department of Adult Correction and wants to work in state prisons to make connections with people before they’re released, he said.

“Our goal would be to go in and start working with them inside the prison and get them adjusted to our staff,” he said.

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Laura Leslie for questions: [email protected].

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