Dr. Debra Pinals

Dr. Debra Pinals is widely recognized for her leadership in substance use law and policy, civil commitment, law enforcement mental health response, crisis systems, competency restoration, and architectural design of forensic facilities and correctional mental health services. As Michigan’s medical director of Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs for the Department of Health and Human Services and director of the Program in Psychiatry, Law, & Ethics at the University of Michigan Medical School, she leads statewide efforts to strengthen diversion, reentry, and treatment partnerships. She also co-developed MISSION-Criminal Justice, a wraparound model supporting people in the justice system with co-occurring disorders. Dr. Pinals has served as chair of NASMHPD’s Forensic Division and currently serves as senior medical and forensic advisor and editor-in-chief. She has also served as chair of the Council on Psychiatry and the Law for the American Psychiatric Association.