NCJ Number
181706
Journal
American Jails Volume: 13 Issue: 6 Dated: January/February 2000 Pages: 57-59
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the steps California is taking to address the widespread and complex problem of mentally ill offenders, with attention to Santa Barbara County's demonstration grant proposal for the implementation of a mental health treatment court (MHTC).
Abstract
On September 15, 1998, California Governor Pete Wilson signed into law Senate Bill 1485, which created the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction Grant Program (MIOCRG Program). The grant program, administered by the California Board of Corrections, is designed to provide local jurisdictions (counties) with funds for the development of local action plans and demonstration projects that include cost-effective responses to the problems associated with mentally ill offenders, including prevention, intervention, and incarceration. One of the demonstration projects selected for funding was the Santa Barbara County MHTC, which began on November 1, 1999. The goals of the MHTC are to provide mentally ill offenders with the treatment, long-term skills, stability, and support necessary to prevent them from reoffending, thus breaking the cycle of recidivism. The program provides coordinated intensive supervision, case management, and long-term stabilization services under the authority of the court. The MHTC design is based on the model and methodology used in the county's substance abuse treatment court, wherein the judge, deputy district attorney, deputy public defender, deputy probation officer, and treatment providers work as a cooperative team during the offender's intensive treatment program. The MHTC brings under the umbrella of the court a host of services for the mentally ill offender, including intensive care management and supervision, mental health treatment, medication monitoring, assistance with housing and employment, engagement with family members, peer mentoring, and coordination of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Intensive support teams of county probation officers and mental health professionals conduct daily case management and supervision. The research design for the program is described.