If you were familiar with the current system, then you would know that "diversion" isn't just a parallel judicial system, it includes rehab as a fundamental par

If you were familiar with the current system, then you would know that "diversion" isn't just a parallel judicial system, it includes rehab as a fundamental part of the process. Or in other words, the solution you claim to want is already part of the system. If an addict or mentally ill person is repeatedly harming others..., the only solutions are rehabilitation or incarceration. The problem is that we are failing to rehabilitate and following that, we are failing to incarcerate. Non-violent addicts are eligible for diversion, which means a separate judicial process that includes rehab. But only first-time drug offenders are entitled to diversion in lieu of incarceration. A person cannot be forced to rehabilitate: they must choose to rehabilitate. If rehab fails, it is because the addict has failed, not the system. Violent offenders are generally not eligible for bail, and are not eligible for alternative sentencing options like diversion, home detention, half-way housing, or early release. They are simply incarcerated in jail, prison, or a mental hospital. We are definitely are not failing to incarcerate these individuals...once they commit violent crimes. The problem is that we simply can't incarcerate them until they commit a violent crime because homeless rights advocates have convinced judges that these types of individuals shouldn't be incarcerated because their too mentally ill to understand what they did is wrong. (Yes, the very thing that makes them more dangerous is also the grounds for not doing anything about it until someone else gets seriously hurt.) Addicts (even violent offenders) can participate in rehab in prison. If they are eligible for it, want it, and there is space in their local facility's program. They cannot be forced to participate in rehab. Mentally ill individuals who cause harm go through the process of "civil commitment" whereby they are committed to a mental hospital for treatment and remain for at least the duration of the prison sentence they would have served for the crime if not mentally ill. Depending on the extent of their illness, and the role it played in their violent actions, they may remain committed for significantly longer than they would have if they had served time in jail (and may even remain committed indefinitely).