There appears to exist a growing group of public mental health researchers whose areas of interest involve the intersect between the mental health and the criminal justice systems.  These topics cover important areas of need and productive avenues of research.  As greater attention develops through the funding of specialized programs and studies, the importance of establishing a central point of contact for researchers and consumers increases.  We are therefore requesting your perspectives, comments, and points of interest around a possible interest group within the APHA Mental Health Section focusing on the mental health and criminal justice systems.  If this is of interest to you, please let us know.  In addition, we would like your thoughts on how this might be developed and where it should be focused.  Please direct correspondence to John Crilly, PhD, MPH, MSW:  john_crilly@urmc.rochester.edu.