Recent work includes:

• MHPG’s lawsuit against Alameda County challenges the unnecessary and illegal segregation of people with mental health disabilities in institutions, fighting for better community services, including expanded mobile crisis (without police intervention) and more housing. The case highlights the disproportionate impact of institutionalization and homelessness on African American residents.
• Solitary Confinement and Mental Health Care in San Mateo County Jails: Disability Rights California and the Prison Law Office Demand Changes. A letter to San Mateo County finding that the jail system is engaging and abuse and/or neglect of people with disabilities based on their treatment of people in solitary confinement.
• Abuse/Neglect Investigation and Request for Corrective Action San Joaquin County’s Use of Solitary Confinement and Mental Health System. MHPG has been investigating San Joaquin County’s jail system pursuant to its authority as California’s protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities, relating to abuse and/or neglect of people with disabilities based on their treatment of people in solitary confinement.
• MHPG has been investigating Tulare County’s mental health crisis and criminal justice systems. DRC is advocating for the expansion of community-based services, including reducing institutionalization and incarceration, eliminating law enforcement response, and addressing race disparities).
• MHPG participates in a statewide Incompetent to Stand Trial Solutions Workgroup/Decarceration Coalition that is advocating for decarcerative solutions that involve strengthening community behavioral health and crisis response systems to support providing critical services to people with mental health disabilities that will aid in stopping the cycles of recidivism that lead to findings of incompetence to stand trial. In addition, we are advocating for the use of peer supports at every stage of involvement in the criminal system, from arrest to re-entry