Identify the three waves of reform policies dealing with the mentally ill discussed in your criminal justice policy textbook. which approach do you believe is best?

The first wave of reform focused on the best and suitable way to handle those who are mentally ill, this waves came with the prohibition of confining those who are mentally ill to jails or prisons but mandates hospital care, as a result of this, 32 psychiatric hospitals and 15 schools to care for the feeble minded were constructed through the effort put in place by Dorothea within the country in order to care for the mentally ill patients.

The second waves policies was by scientist who brought about change in the field of psychology, neurology, psychiatry and social work, this development lead to the establishment of psychopathic hospitals where the mentally ill were cared for especially those with extreme mental illness.

The third waves saw the real importance of aftercare given to mentally ill patients that have been discharged from inpatient care, this lead to the opening of outpatient clinics, this policy also lead to the introduction of antipsychotic drugs.

Explanation:

Of all the 3 approaches, the third wave is the best because it created aftercare for inpatient treatment. This ensures that there is continuous care for the mentally ill, this is a from of prevention against relapse in the treatment of the mentally ill.