This research investigates the impact of deficiencies in the U.S. mental health care system on the disproportionate representation of individuals with mental illness in prisons. Notably, those with psychiatric disorders are ten times more likely to end up in prison rather than receiving proper care. The study underscores the critical need to address the current shortcomings in mental health care, particularly the widespread lack of affordability and accessibility exacerbated by a severe shortage of mental health professionals. Using qualitative methods such as correlation and case study research, the project focuses on California's court cases to assess the link between mental illness and criminal behavior. The overarching aim is to determine whether improved mental health care could prevent certain crimes and to what extent the existing system contributes to the prevalence of mental illness within the prison population.