Sixty percent of state prisoners with mental illness have received some form of mental health treatment while in prison. ^[1]   Of these, half reported taking prescription medication and 44 percent reported receiving counseling services. While comparable statistics do not exist for jails, 11 percent of all people in jails nationwide report receiving mental health services while incarcerated, with 9 percent taking a prescription medication for a mental health issue and 5 percent receiving professional counseling. ^[2]   Among people with mental health problems who receive medication and counseling while incarcerated, the intensity of treatment is rarely maintained upon release. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 66 percent of states help inmates with mental health problems to identify and access community-based services postrelease. ^[3]   The extent of this assistance varies from a list of referrals upon release to established appointments with community providers. Even if every state were to provide prisoners who have mental illnesses with a list of referrals upon release, however, insufficient resources, deficient follow-up, the absence of social support systems, or a combination of such factors may result in poor outcomes for these releasees. ^[4]   Further, parole agencies are generally ill-equipped to effectively identify and address the mental health needs of released inmates. Even when problems are identified, access to affordable services is often limited. A national survey of parole administrators found that less than one quarter of respondents indicated that they provide special programs for parolees with mental illness. ^[5]