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LOCK HAVEN -- With an increasing number of mental health diagnoses within the criminal justice system, Clinton County Judge Michael Salisbury and a committee of his legal peers have developed a program to give those who have committed crimes due in part to mental illness a chance to better themselves.
On Monday, Jan. 13, Behavioral Health Court will hold its first session.
Salisbury said the idea for the new treatment court was something he and Magisterial Disrict Judge John Maggs had been talking about for some time.
The discomfort he felt about giving someone jail time for a minor crime, and due to their mental health, was something that pushed the issue, Salisbury said.
"It's very distasteful to incarcerate someone like that," he said. "It's not conducive to their health."
The county's court system already has two treatment courts -- Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court which began in 2014 and Veterans Treatment Court that began in 2016.
"We talked about calling it a Mental Health Court but thought that may be abrasive," Salisbury said of Behavioral Health Court.
There are some cases where an individual may have a duel diagnoses that makes them eligible for more than one treatment court, but an individual may not be in more than one court, he said.
"Our prime goal is to avoid incarceration," he said. "We're going to have a lot of duel diagnoses typically coupled with drug and alcohol abuse."
West Branch Drug and Alcohol provides drug and alcohol screenings to determine who may be eligible for a specialty court.
Salisbury said anyone within the legal system such as arresting officers, probation/parole officers, district judges, district attorneys, public defenders and other members of the legal community may recommend Behavioral Court for an offender.
But, the final decision to take part in the program belongs to the individual, the judge said.
The Clinton County Correctional Facility with its contracted mental health care provider, Crossroads Counseling, may also recommend an individual for Behavioral Court.
"Warden Angela Hoover has really taken the lead on that," Salisbury said.
The goal of Behavioral Health Court is to ensure those with a mental health disorder get the proper care they need to avoid committing future crimes, the judge explained.
"Really what we're trying to do is monitor these people and make sure they're compliant," he said.
According to national numbers from the Bureau of Justice, 64 percent of inmates in local prisons are diagnosed with a mental heatlh problem, but only one in six actually recieve treatment while in custody, according to David Goodwin, senior probation supervisor for the county.
"Local jails hold incarceration less than two years," he said.
Both Goodwin and Salisbury are hoping to increase the number of those receiving care within the county.
The program, which works in partnership with the probation office, will have two Behavioral Health Court probation officers -- Alexa O'Connell and Amanda Herr.
"These officers have been very successful in both Treatment Court and Veterans Court," Goodwin said. "They are extremely committed and work hard to make our programs run smoothly and do everything they can to assist their clients in their recovery. We look forward to their continued success in Behavioral Health Court," he said.
A maximum number of 11 people is expected to start the new program but Salisbury said he's willing to include more people if necessary.
"How do you say no? I couldn't do it," he said.
According to the program's policy and procedure manual:
The program will take place over 12 to 18 months with participants meeting with Salisbury every other week. The program operates in three phases. By the third phase the court meetings are typically reduced to one meeting per month with another meeting scheduled for a minimum of once a month, too. Once the final phase is completed, a participant will move into Aftercare.
Aftercare lasts approximately six months and includes a court appearance every other month or as instructed, continued treatment if recommended, and following all treatment recommendations as well as other requirements.
Salisbury will meet with each individual for at least three to five minutes each session, he said.
"The reason is you've got to know these guys," he said. "Some I spend more time with."
Salisbury explained that the program isn't just about coming into court every other Monday. It's about the other services that the program can provide an individual struggling with their mental health, he said.
The program also helps people find a home, teaches them how to budget as well as find funds for rent or other benefits they may need.
"There's a lot more to it. It's a wrap around service," he said.
To be eligible for the program a person must be charged with a misdemeanor caused by their mental illness, he said.
According to the manual, the person's sentence of supervision must be a minimum of 24 months and have a current -- within the last two years -- diagnosis of a least one of the following major mental health diagnoses:
-- Schizophrenia
-- Major Mood Disorder (Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder)
-- Psychotic Disorder (Schizoaffective Disorder)
-- Borderline Personality Disorder
If a current diagnosis isn't available, one will be completed by a qualified professional.
A more detailed list of qualifications as well as procedures in relation to taking part in the program are available in the manual which can be viewed by visiting the Clinton County Probation Office, 232 E. Main St., Lock Haven, or calling 570-893-4051.
Salisbury said that once someone begins the program, they can't back out.
"We don't want to just kick you out, we want to help you," he said.