NCJ Number
224377
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 405-413
Date Published
September 2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how mental health court programs can succeed in rural and nonaffluent jurisdictions with proper planning and coordination of existing State, local, and private treatment and housing programs.
Abstract
Over the last several decades, the mental health system in this country has moved away from institutional based treatment to more community-based treatment. Both metropolitan and rural jurisdictions are dealing with mental health problems and have grown frustrated with repeatedly handling the cases using traditional court docketing methods. Mental health court programs are taking root nationwide. Mental health court programs are reducing expensive hospital stays, jail overcrowding, and improving the quality of life for the probationers and their family and friends. The programs are working in rural and nonaffluent jurisdictions because judges, jail staff, law enforcement, and community mental health providers are already dealing with the same faces repeatedly. Jails today have become de facto mental health treatment centers for mentally ill patients; a result of their marginal lifestyle situations due to lack of community resources, funds, and no case management. Financial and treatment professional shortages are major issues in rural and nonaffluent jurisdictions. These cases are crowding court dockets and are filling the jails and State hospitals. Mental health court programs are responding to these issues. Success is measured in decreased arrests and mental hospital stays, and the overall well-being of these patients. Notes