Mike is Pete Earley’s son, who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder while in college and arrested for breaking and entering—a crime he commits during an episode of acute mental illness. Despite this, Mike is initially resistant to taking medication, which further worries Earley, who has witnessed The Dangers of Deinstitutionalization firsthand. His mental state is often depicted using dialogue between him and his father, making it clear when he can think rationally and when he cannot. Mike’s story is woven in with the chapters of the book, in large part because his mental illness is the catalyst for Pete Earley’s research and reporting into The Plight of People with Mental Illnesses in the Criminal Justice System. Although Earley’s investigation turns up few bright spots, he ends the book with an anecdote about Mike looking to the future, suggesting that some sort of recovery is possible.

Carl is a resident at Passageway who has schizophrenia. Pete Earley shadows him while learning about Passageway’s treatment program model.

Alice Ann Collyer is an incarcerated woman within the Miami-Dade criminal justice system who has schizophrenia. Earley investigates her record and sees that she has been arrested nine times and has been caught within the “revolving door” of hospitalization and jail for more than three years while awaiting trial.

April Hernandez is a young woman in Miami with schizoaffective disorder. She illustrates the challenges many young women with chronic mental illness may be vulnerable to, including homelessness, sex trafficking, sexual assault, unwanted pregnancy, and other traumatic experiences. When her boyfriend, Jason Gilly, tells her he can help her control her delusions through her diet, she believes him, and she ultimately ends up hospitalized once again.

An incarcerated man whom Earley first encounters on the ninth floor of the jail, Freddie Gilbert is mute and nearly catatonic due to chronic and severe mental illness. Despite being placed in a court-ordered six-month intensive treatment program and some initial successes, Gilbert ends up back in jail not long after being released to an ALF.

Ted Jackson is an incarcerated man from the jail’s ninth floor who has bipolar disorder. Jackson is released from jail, but his delusions, paranoia, and belief that God is sending him messages allow him to be taken advantage of. He relies on Earley for advice and struggles to take care of himself.

Judge Leifman is Earley’s initial contact in Miami. His advocacy for people with mental illnesses and his passion for reforming the criminal justice system have made him famous nationwide. Throughout the book, Earley follows his attempts to reform the Baker Act, making it easier for families to involuntarily commit loved ones with mental illnesses.

Mullen is the founder and director of Passageway, a successful long-term residential treatment program in Miami. He is known for his unconventional methods, undying patience, and deep care for his clients years after they leave his facility. Earley views his program as a beacon of progress and success.

Dr. Poitier is a forensic psychiatrist at the Miami-Dade County Pretrial Detention Center. Earley shadows Dr. Poitier’s rounds on the jail’s ninth floor, where those with the most severe mental illnesses are situated. Dr. Poitier believes in treating incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses to give back to the Miami community. He is one of the most instrumental guides for Earley throughout the book.

Judy Robinson is a NAMI chapter leader and advocate whom Earley shadows. Her tireless work to empower and educate parents of adult children with mental illnesses makes her a foil to Judge Leifman and other Miami officials in power. She also acts as a glimpse into Earley’s potential future with his son. Earley follows her advocacy as well as her struggles with her son Jeff, whose schizoaffective disorder has remained chronic and severe for decades.

DeeDee Sanbourne, a woman with schizoaffective disorder, became the face of a lawsuit that was meant to take patients out of state-run hospitals and put them into ALFs instead. This was done without her family’s input, and DeeDee died after decompensating and struggling with her health. Her story acts as a cautionary tale of why deinstitutionalization without community mental health services can have dangerous consequences.