Psychologically disturbed people from racial minority groups are more likely than disturbed white Americans to be sent to prison, as opposed to mental health facilities.

Among defendants evaluated for competence to stand trial, those from racial minority groups are more likely than white American defendants to be referred for inpatient evaluations.

Among defendants evaluated for competence to stand trial, those from racial minority groups are more likely than white Americans to have the evaluation done in a strict-security inpatient setting, rather than in the noncorrectional mental health system.

When nonwhite and white defendants are evaluated for competence to stand trial, the defendants from racial minority groups are more likely to be found incompetent to stand trial.

In New York State, 42 percent of all people ordered into involuntary outpatient commitment are African American, 34 percent are white American, and 21 percent are Hispanic American. In contrast, these three groups comprise, respectively, 17 percent, 61 percent, and 16 percent of New York’s general population.