Mental Health Courts Can Offer A Successful Exit From Revolving Jailhouse Doors

Kansas Health Institute: U.S. Research Points To Potential Of Mental Health Courts
[Mary] Giliberti, chief executive officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said 2 million people with serious mental illness were booked into U.S. jails each year. Half receive no treatment in jail, she said. The experience of most of those people in the criminal justice system, she said, ought to shock the conscience...The growth of mental health courts designed to provide an alternative to incarceration has inspired academic research into the unconventional attempt to slow jailhouse revolving doors for the mentally ill. Research by the U.S. Department of Justice indicated prison and jail inmates with mental health problems were more likely to have co-occurring drug or alcohol addictions, to have a background of physical abuse and homelessness, and to be involved in fights or be disciplined for rule violations while incarcerated. (Carpenter, 10/25)

Kansas Health Institute: Minnesota Mental Health Court A Model 
Few Kansas counties have tried to establish their own mental health courts. But Hennepin County provides lessons for others that might try in the future: To successfully keep people with mental health issues in treatment and out of jail, it takes partnerships with organizations outside the judicial branch and dedicated case workers. Everyone [Judge Kerry] Meyer saw in her courtroom that morning had been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, a traumatic brain injury or an intellectual and developmental disorder — including the college student who stole the vitamins. Instead of going to criminal court, the student had agreed to abide by a treatment plan and check in regularly with Meyer and a probation officer for a set amount of time. (Marso, 10/25)

Kansas Health Institute: Advocates Of Kansas Mental Health Courts Say Lives Improved, Taxpayer Dollars Saved
In a handful of Kansas cities — Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City and Wichita — there are independent movements to sculpt judicial programs channeling low-level offenders diagnosed with an illness of the mind to a separate court docket. It’s a recognition that old-school punishments often fell short. The objective in alternative courts has been to help people step beyond an adversarial process into a program to improve access to services for those with mental illness, promote participation in treatment and reduce recidivism. Ingredients of change range from medication and therapy to housing and vocational rehabilitation. The judge regularly meets behind closed doors with lawyers and mental health staff to talk about the status of each case before meeting participants in open court. (Carpenter, 10/25)