Wilson Center Launches Three Projects Under H.B. 307 to Understand and Strengthen Mental Health Responses Across North Carolina’s Legal System

The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law is pleased to announce three major research projects examining the intersection of mental health and the criminal legal system in North Carolina. These projects are part of a broader coalition of research efforts directed by the North Carolina Collaboratory under H.B. 307, also known as “Iryna’s Law,” which in part calls for a comprehensive study of mental health and the justice system. 

Together, these projects will assess how North Carolina delivers mental health care at critical points in the legal system—from initial crisis response to reentry and youth confinement—and identify opportunities to improve access, quality, and outcomes. 

 

Project 1: Involuntary Inpatient and Outpatient Commitment in North Carolina: Exploring Opportunities for Reform 

Led by Marvin Swartz, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Lead of the Wilson Center’s Behavioral Health Team and Brandon Garrett, Faculty Director at the Wilson Center, in collaboration with Mark Botts of the UNC School of Government, this project examines the use of involuntary commitment in North Carolina and will explore how these systems function in practice, review practices in comparable states, and make policy recommendations for its more effective use 

“There is a vital opportunity to address behavioral health crises before they result in criminalization,” said Professor Garrett, “and this project will help identify pathways to do just that.” 

Swartz added, “By closely examining how involuntary commitment operates across the state, we can better understand where interventions are most effective and where and how reforms are needed to ensure people receive appropriate care at the right time.” 

 

Project 2: Mental Health Care When Reentering Communities: Assessing Access, Quality, and Evidence-Based Practice 

Led by Ben Finholt, Director of Second Chances and Legal Advocacy at the Wilson Center, this project focuses on individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. Researchers will review mental health services in a key part of the North Carolina criminal justice system: Local Reentry Councils (LRCs). Reentry programs serve as critical intervention spaces. This study will examine how these programs can most effectively address mental health needs to reduce recidivism, promote public safety, and allow reentering community members to thrive.  

“Access to quality mental health care is essential for successful reentry,” said Finholt. “When people leave incarceration without the support they need, they face significant barriers to stability, which can increase the risk of recidivism. Strengthening mental health care during reentry not only improves individual outcomes, but it strengthens communities across North Carolina.” 

 

Project 3: Mental Health Care in North Carolina Youth Development Centers: Assessing Access, Quality, and Evidence-Based Practice 

Also led by Finholt, this project examines mental health services provided in North Carolina’s Youth Development Centers. The research will evaluate whether young people in custody are receiving appropriate, evidence-based treatment and identify opportunities to improve care delivery. The project underscores the importance of early intervention. Ensuring that youth receive adequate mental health care can improve outcomes during confinement and reduce the likelihood of future involvement in the criminal legal system as adults. 

“Investing in mental health care for young people is critical,” Finholt said. “When incarcerated children receive the treatment and support they need, we can help prevent deeper system involvement and create pathways toward healthier, more stable futures for individuals and communities.  

 

A Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health and Justice 

These three projects reflect a coordinated effort to better understand and address how mental health care is delivered across North Carolina’s legal system. By focusing on prevention, treatment, and continuity of care, the Wilson Center and its partners aim to inform policies that reduce criminalization, improve health outcomes, and promote public safety. 

Findings from the projects will be shared with policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders in 2027 to support data-driven system improvements state-wide. These projects are supported by the North Carolina Collaboratory at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with funding appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly.