Deinstitutionalization and criminalization: tinkering in the interstices.

The mental health service system has undergone continuous change for more than three decades. Undoubtedly, some of its problems are related to economic, social and political factors. This contribution discusses problems of deinstitutionalization, homelessness and criminalization of the mentally ill persons. To conclude, it proposes a number of ways by which better services could be rendered to the mentally disordered persons, particularly in areas that interface with the criminal justice system.