Posted on Dec 13, 2022
Johnson County courts are expanding programs to help people get treatment instead of punishment
381
19
3
10
10
0
Incarcerated individuals with mental illness spend an average of 21 days in jail and are at higher risk of physical illness and death. Johnson County plans to add another specialty court focused on treating these issues rather than punishing them.
In a packed courtroom in Johnson County, Eddie Luster stood for his fellow veterans as they presented the United States flag.
After two years of work, Wednesday was Luster's graduation day from veterans treatment court.
Luster spent three years in the U.S. Army, served in the National Guard and deployed in Saudi Arabia. But after he left the service, he grappled with the emotional toll. It led to him acting out — to the point where he ran afoul of the law.
Usually, he would have gone to court and ultimately been on probation. But in Johnson County, he had the option to go through a court specifically created with veterans in mind.
"This whole thing is like grace and mercy," Luster said. "Grace means getting something good that you don't deserve. That's what this is. Mercy is not getting something bad that you do deserve. That applies here too."
The aim of veterans treatment court — and others specializing in mental health or drug issues — is to get people treatment, instead of punishment, to keep them out of further legal trouble.
The process can take anywhere from a year to two years to complete.
In a packed courtroom in Johnson County, Eddie Luster stood for his fellow veterans as they presented the United States flag.
After two years of work, Wednesday was Luster's graduation day from veterans treatment court.
Luster spent three years in the U.S. Army, served in the National Guard and deployed in Saudi Arabia. But after he left the service, he grappled with the emotional toll. It led to him acting out — to the point where he ran afoul of the law.
Usually, he would have gone to court and ultimately been on probation. But in Johnson County, he had the option to go through a court specifically created with veterans in mind.
"This whole thing is like grace and mercy," Luster said. "Grace means getting something good that you don't deserve. That's what this is. Mercy is not getting something bad that you do deserve. That applies here too."
The aim of veterans treatment court — and others specializing in mental health or drug issues — is to get people treatment, instead of punishment, to keep them out of further legal trouble.
The process can take anywhere from a year to two years to complete.
Johnson County courts are expanding programs to help people get treatment instead of punishment
Posted from kcur.org
Mental Health
Drugs
Law
Government
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
3
3
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."While not everyone graduates, McCarthy estimates about two-thirds make it through.
Studies show a reduction in recidivism rates for people who make it through drug courts during and after their court supervision. There is limited research showing the effectiveness of mental health courts, but a review of these courts in the Bronx and Brooklyn by the Urban Institute showed those who graduated were much less likely to come into contact with the legal system.
Tim DeWeese, executive director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, said the regular court system doesn't get to the root causes that land people in legal trouble.
"If we send that individual who's not treated through the court process, the likelihood — that once they get done with that court process — of it happening again because they haven't gotten treatment is high," he said.
In October, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners accepted a grant for more than $300,000 to develop a mental health court program in collaboration with the Johnson County Mental Health Center. The funds will go toward research, program assessments, staff training and salaries associated with implementing the program.
The plan is to have the court operational in about one year. In the interim, a planning committee with agency leaders from across the county will design the court’s structure.
The county anticipates the court will serve about 50 people in the first two active years.
DeWeese said the court will also save taxpayers money because the services keep people out of jail and prison, which are far more expensive. An audit conducted by the Kansas Legislative Research Department estimated the annual cost per adult inmate to be about $30,100.
At the core, specialty courts are still about encouraging accountability and creating structure. DeWeese said if they help further destigmatize mental health issues in the community, that would be a welcome bonus.
"We should focus on being able to help people better their lives and help people learn, change and grow," DeWeese said. "I think that these courts provide that opportunity."
..."While not everyone graduates, McCarthy estimates about two-thirds make it through.
Studies show a reduction in recidivism rates for people who make it through drug courts during and after their court supervision. There is limited research showing the effectiveness of mental health courts, but a review of these courts in the Bronx and Brooklyn by the Urban Institute showed those who graduated were much less likely to come into contact with the legal system.
Tim DeWeese, executive director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, said the regular court system doesn't get to the root causes that land people in legal trouble.
"If we send that individual who's not treated through the court process, the likelihood — that once they get done with that court process — of it happening again because they haven't gotten treatment is high," he said.
In October, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners accepted a grant for more than $300,000 to develop a mental health court program in collaboration with the Johnson County Mental Health Center. The funds will go toward research, program assessments, staff training and salaries associated with implementing the program.
The plan is to have the court operational in about one year. In the interim, a planning committee with agency leaders from across the county will design the court’s structure.
The county anticipates the court will serve about 50 people in the first two active years.
DeWeese said the court will also save taxpayers money because the services keep people out of jail and prison, which are far more expensive. An audit conducted by the Kansas Legislative Research Department estimated the annual cost per adult inmate to be about $30,100.
At the core, specialty courts are still about encouraging accountability and creating structure. DeWeese said if they help further destigmatize mental health issues in the community, that would be a welcome bonus.
"We should focus on being able to help people better their lives and help people learn, change and grow," DeWeese said. "I think that these courts provide that opportunity."
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
This is good news! All to often, many behavioral issues are not addressed and or provided treatment to subdue those!
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google