The Michigan Supreme Court announced this week that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has awarded more than $16.7 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2022 to Problem-Solving Court (PSC) programs across the state, including drug and sobriety, mental health, and veterans treatment courts.
In doing so, court officials noted that data have consistently shown that these specialized programs contribute to less repeat crime, lower unemployment rates and improved quality of life of graduates.
“Year after year, Michigan problem-solving courts do more than solve problems — they save lives, and that important work didn’t stop during the pandemic,” said Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, who serves as the top court’s liaison to problem-solving courts. “Statewide, judges, court teams and engaged communities stepped up to support and guide participants on a path to recovery. We are so grateful to the legislature and governor for investing in these courts and the professionals who help them be so successful at reducing recidivism and making neighborhoods safer.”
Grants and recipients by court include:
• Drug/sobriety courts — $10,504,169
• Mental health courts — $5,230,330
• Veterans treatment courts — $1,034,399
The FY2020 PSC annual report shows that graduates of adult drug court programs were nearly two times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program.
Other findings included:
• Sobriety court graduates were more than three times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission
• A drop in unemployment of 96 percent for adult drug court graduates
• Mental health court graduates on average — among adult circuit, adult district and juvenile — were two to three times less likely to commit another crime within three years of admission to a program.
• An average of 97 percent improvement in mental health status among adult circuit, adult district and juvenile mental health court graduates.
• Michigan remains a national leader with 27 veterans treatment courts.
Problem-solving courts are nontraditional programss that focus on nonviolent offenders whose underlying issues, such as a substance use disorder or mental health diagnosis, have contributed to recurring involvement with the criminal justice system.
In addition to funding, SCAO also provides these courts with operational support and resources, guidance on state certification and training.
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