HELP FOR OFFENDERS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

A new mental health court being created in Jackson County will assist
nonviolent offenders with mental illnesses or substance abuse problems to
get the help they need.

Members of this neglected segment of the community often go through the
court system multiple times without treatment of the problems that affect
their behaviors. Jackson County has found a way to help them without
placing an additional tax burden on the public.

Persons who have mental illnesses and commit minor crimes often are
recycled through the judicial system several times, never getting the
professional help and treatment they need.

Drug or alcohol abuse is common for these persons. After they serve their
time in jail and are released, their untreated problems lead to more trouble.

The new court for those with mental health problems would provide diversion
and treatment services in much the same way that the Jackson County Drug
Court provides help to offenders with substance abuse problems. Funding
would come from the existing county mental health levy, through the Mental
Health Board of Trustees, and from the anti-drug tax.

Surveys have shown that about 12 percent of inmates in the Jackson County
jail have a mental illness; at the Kansas City Municipal Correction
Institution the number is one out of three. Three out of five inmates
surveyed at the latter facility said they have an alcohol or drug problem.

Advocates for the mentally ill convinced Jackson County officials of the
need for the special court. These advocates, law enforcement officials and
members of the judiciary and the county administration have joined in this
effort with providers of services to those with mental illness or substance
abuse.

The creation of the court followed a study by a task force appointed by
Jackson County Executive Kathryn Shields.

With the new court, expected to begin in early 2002, a person who needs
help can voluntarily choose treatment over incarceration without treatment.
The idea is to link the justice system to the providers of mental health
and substance abuse treatment.

At the end of an offender's treatment, the court will seek advice of the
county prosecutor and defense counsel as to the final disposition of the
case. Persons who are charged with serious crimes will not be eligible for
the program.

Eligible persons will include clients from Jackson County's COMBAT drug
court, persons in Kansas City and Lee's Summit municipal court systems, and
persons with lower-grade felonies in the county detention center.

Persons who receive treatment through this new court will be less likely to
become offenders again. Helping them will make for a better community for
everyone.