Examining how Crisis Intervention Teams affect officer behavior and the well-being of incarcerated individuals with mental illness
Official title: Crisis Intervention Teams in Corrections: Exploring the impact on officer use of force and the well-being of incarcerated people with mental illness
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-10734687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how training correctional officers in Crisis Intervention Teams can help them better support inmates with mental health issues, making interactions safer and more positive for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | September 7, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $164,357 |
| NIH project number | 1R03MH131969-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10734687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are incarcerated individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses who may benefit from improved crisis intervention practices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not incarcerated or do not have a mental illness may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the implementation of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) within correctional facilities to improve interactions between correctional officers and incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses. The study focuses on how CIT training influences officers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors when responding to mental health crises. By assessing the impact of CIT on officer use of force and the overall well-being of inmates, the research aims to identify effective strategies for managing mental health issues in prisons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for incarcerated individuals and safer interactions with correctional officers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that CIT training for police officers leads to better outcomes, suggesting potential for similar success in correctional settings, although this specific application is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Canada, Kelli Elizabeth — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Canada, Kelli Elizabeth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.