MUSKEGON – The 14th Circuit Court in Muskegon County and the 60th District Court in Muskegon announced they have collectively received $1,784,870 for FY 2023 from the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and the federal government to fund the operation of treatment courts (drug/sobriety, mental health, veterans treatment), the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP), and other programs. Extensive follow-up analysis on problem-solving courts, for instance, shows that in Fiscal Year 2021, adult drug court graduates were, on average, more than 4 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program.
Circuit Court Chief Judge Gregory C. Pittman stated, “We are extremely proud that our courts have been able to successfully operate innovative programs that efficiently direct resources toward addressing the challenging life issues of some citizens. Far too often, those issues result in the presence of individuals on the wrong side of the criminal justice system. We could not continue to operate nor make such a positive impact without the support we receive from these state and federal grants.”
“Keeping our problem-solving courts operational is a priority for our court because these programs are helping individuals in our own community turn their lives around”, said District Court Chief Judge Raymond J. Kostrzewa.
“I thank the governor and legislature for providing the resources to solve problems and save lives because that funding enables these programs to continue strengthening families and communities, as well as saving taxpayer dollars,” said Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, who is the MSC liaison to problem-solving courts and SSSPPs. “Muskegon County courts are all to be commended for their dedication toward making these programs successful.”
Grant breakdown for Muskegon County Circuit Court:
$60,000 for Recovery Court – SCAO grant
$270,000 for SSPPP – SCAO grant
$420,000 for SAVES (Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security) program - new grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
$400,000 for Women's Expansion, Case Management, and Opioid Response projects - new grant from the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
$1,150,000 TOTAL
Grant breakdown for 60th District Court:
$70,000 for Veterans Treatment Court – SCAO grant
$120,000 for DWI/Sobriety Court – SCAO grant
$127,435 for Adult Mental Health Court – SCAO grant
$317,435 TOTAL
Other key findings in SCAO’s FY 2021 PSC Annual Report:
Unemployment dropped by 91 percent for adult drug court graduates, 82 percent for sobriety court graduates, and 79 percent for hybrid court (drug/sobriety) graduates.
On average, mental health court (MHC) graduates—adult and juvenile—were more than 2 times less likely to commit another crime within three years of admission to a program.
Average 99 percent improvement in mental health and 97 percent quality of life improvement.
Graduates of veterans treatment courts (VTCs) in FY 2021 were nearly 2 times less likely to reoffend within three years of admission to a program.
Unemployment dropped by 81 percent among VTC graduates.
Problem-solving courts are nontraditional programs 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.
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