Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis T. Wilder recently highlighted the effectiveness of Michigan mental health courts, citing a new report released by the State Court Administrative Office.
In particular, the report found that graduates of these problem-solving courts were nearly two times less likely to commit another crime two years after graduating a program.
Based on a wide range of data collected during Fiscal Year 2017, the annual report “Solving Problems, Saving Lives’ also found that upon completion of the program:
• Unemployment among mental health court graduates was cut by more than half
• Nearly 100 percent of juvenile mental health court graduates improved their education level
• Nearly 100 percent of graduates (adult and juvenile) reported improved mental health
• Nearly 100 percent of graduates (adult and juvenile) reported an improved overall quality of life.
“A national dialogue has been building about the need to reform our criminal justice system, and a key component has been the success of mental health courts around the country,”Wilder said during a graduation ceremony for the 72nd District Court Adult Mental Health Court in Port Huron.”
Wilder said he was “extremely proud that the Michigan Supreme Court has long championed and supported mental health courts.
“The data included in this report represents many successes that provide a solid foundation for these individuals to improve their lives, take care of their families and help make their communities stronger.”
The report also found that drug court graduate s were far less likely to commit another crime after two years, as opposed to similar offenders who did not participate in a drug court program.
In addition, unemployment among veterans treatment court graduates was cut by more than half.
Problem-solving courts are non-traditional courts focusing on underlying medical and social problems have contributed to recurring contacts with the criminal justice system.
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