By HWM
New York City is rolling out a new initiative aimed at transforming how the justice system supports individuals with complex mental and behavioral health needs. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), in partnership with the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG), has officially launched the NYC Justice Training Institute, a first-of-its-kind digital training hub designed to equip frontline providers with practical, evidence-based tools.
The new platform will offer both live and on-demand training to organizations funded by MOCJ, along with other city agencies and health and human services providers. The goal is to strengthen care coordination, improve service delivery, and ultimately reduce recidivism by addressing the root causes that bring individuals into the justice system.
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“At the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, we know that public safety and public health go hand in hand,” said MOCJ Director Deanna Logan. “The Justice Training Institute is about giving partner providers the tools they need to meet people where they are — with the right skills, the right support, and the right approach. By strengthening how we deliver care and coordinate services, we can reduce recidivism, prevent crises before it occurs, keep community safe, and help more New Yorkers build stable, healthy lives.”
The launch comes at a critical time. Nearly 60 percent of individuals in custody on Rikers Island have a mental health diagnosis or have sought mental health services, highlighting the urgent need for better-equipped providers and more integrated systems of care.
The Justice Training Institute aims to close these gaps by offering a centralized resource for learning and innovation. Through its dedicated website, users will have access to an events calendar, technical assistance, and a wide range of training modules focused on real-world application.
Participants will learn how to navigate the NYC criminal legal system, develop person-centered case management strategies, and better understand mental health and substance use disorders. Additional training will focus on trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, overdose prevention, and connecting individuals to housing, benefits, and workforce opportunities.
“Stronger services mean stronger communities,” said ISLG Policy Director Siobhán Carney. “We’re honored to support the staff working on the ground with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver real, positive outcomes for New Yorkers. The Justice Training Institute reflects what we know is true: long-term safety and stability start with the people delivering care every single day.”
City officials say the initiative is expected to improve engagement among program participants, enhance collaboration across courts, jails, and community providers, and promote a broader shift toward public health-centered approaches to safety.
By bridging the gap between the justice and health sectors, the NYC Justice Training Institute represents a major step forward in rethinking how the city supports some of its most vulnerable residents—while strengthening public safety for all.
Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio
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