In the New York Times article, “Incarceration Has Helped Bring Down Crime,” by Michael Rushford, the author questions past diversion programs. He points out: "...after 45,000 felons were placed in [California's] program, California's violent crime rate increased by 218 percent, compared to the national increase of 198 percent." » Rushford says criminals are more likely to reoffend if they are spared harsh punishment. However, we should expect crime rates to increase if we are not willing to treat the mental illness that countless criminals suffer from. Simply putting offenders in prison is of no value to anyone, as the individual and society suffer the consequences of