How does mental illness/ mental health disorders affect the criminal justice system? ?

Question

I am doing a research paper and this was my given topic, all I have gathered so far is when people are mentally ill they can become a threat to the public. HELP!!!

Answer 1

Well, according to Google...."What percent of criminals are mentally ill?

An estimated 73% of females in State prisons, compared to 55% of male inmates, had a mental health problem (table 3). In Federal prisons, the rate was 61% of females compared to 44% of males; and in local jails, 75% of females compared to 63% of male inmates...."