Compulsory community treatment
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
no effect
Evidence quality
strong
What the evidence says
Compulsory community treatment (CCT) is a legal requirement for individuals with mental illness to adhere to treatment. Evidence indicates that CCT does not have a statistically significant impact on arrest likelihood but may reduce the chances of being victimized by crime. This conclusion is drawn from a systematic review of two primary studies with a focus on police contact outcomes, primarily in the USA.
How it works
CCT is proposed to limit police contact by ensuring participants adhere to medication and engage with clinicians, due to the legal requirement for treatment adherence.
Implementation
The review did not specify how CCT is implemented or any challenges encountered, highlighting a lack of comprehensive understanding in its application.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.