Mental health courts

Abstract

While the early data is encouraging, there is still a great need for further study regarding the efficacy of mental health courts. In particular, we need to know who (along a variety of dimensions) are likely to benefit from participation in mental health courts, of what sort, and under what circumstances.

The Importance of Mental Health Courts for Psychiatry & the Criminal Justice System

“…Since the deinstitutionalization movement in the second half of the twentieth century, access to mental health services has become increasingly scarce (1). As a result, those with mental illness have often ended up in the forensic system, and the responsibility of providing basic mental healthcare has largely shifted to the criminal justice system (7).…”

“…There is also a need for investigation into who is most likely to benefit from MHC involvement, and under what circumstances (1). This is especially true given the increasing heterogeneity of MHC participants, in both criminal behavior and clinical profile (5).…”

Meta-analytic reviews on the efficacy of adult and youth mental health courts

“…The mental health court team collaboratively develop participant specific treatment plans and co-ordinate access to care (Schneider, 2008;Slinger & Roesch, 2010). This team is made up of the judge overseeing that particular MHC, defence counsel, prosecution, case managers/workers, and mental health treatment providers (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists) (Schneider, 2008;Slinger & Roesch, 2010). With a multifaceted team treatment regimens can be of many forms and can include options other than medication (Schneider, 2008).…”

“…Newer MHCs which accept offenders who have committed a felony are called second-generation MHCs (Redlich et al, 2005). MHCs, like DTCs, are judicially mandated treatment programs that can eliminate any possibility of jail time and have charges stayed, withdrawn or reduced (Schneider, 2008;Slinger & Roesch, 2010;Werb, Elliott, Fischer, Wood, Montaner, & Kerr, 2007). From an offender standpoint, the possibility of having charges stayed, dismissed or reduced may make MHCs a highly attractive option.…”

“…In Canada, the primary focus of MHCs has not necessarily been on helping all persons with mental health issues who have come into contact with the law, but has been focused on dealing with those who are deemed unfit to stand trial (Schneider, 2008). In these cases, participation on behalf of the offender is not voluntary and the offender does not proceed though the MHC system.…”