Finding the best treatments for people with mental illness in the justice system.
Official title: What works, for whom? Applying novel precision medicine methods to people with mental illness in the justice system.
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11089900 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to find the best ways to help people with serious mental illness who are in the criminal justice system by matching them with the right treatments, so they can avoid getting into trouble again.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00MH133985-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089900 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have serious mental illness and are currently involved in the criminal justice system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have serious mental illness or are not involved in the criminal justice system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to identify which specific interventions are most effective for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who are involved in the criminal justice system. By utilizing advanced precision medicine techniques, the study will analyze the diverse characteristics and needs of this population to tailor interventions accordingly. The goal is to reduce recidivism by matching the right treatment to the right individual, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. The research will involve a combination of statistical analysis and machine learning to determine the best strategies for preventing future criminal behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment plans that significantly reduce repeat offenses among individuals with mental illness.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using precision medicine approaches to tailor interventions for diverse patient populations, suggesting potential success for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montoya, Lina — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Montoya, Lina
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.