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Mental health courts and forensic assertive community treatment teams as correctional diversion programs

Source: Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Resource Type: Documents and Publications

Focus Population: People in Recovery from Substance Use, People with Criminal Justice System Involvement, People with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

Topics: Criminal or Juvenile Justice System, Recovery from Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders, Suicide Prevention

The paper discusses the development, evolution and effectiveness of Mental Health Courts (MHC) and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) and how these address criminal justice involvement of individuals with mental health illnesses. The authors highlight successes and some concerns to be addressed by mental health courts including the need to collaborate with other system players (probation), the need to focus on individuals with co-occurring substance use illnesses and provide a more tailored and holistic programming. Concerning FACT, they offer opportunities for improving and preventing the likelihood of mental health professionals to act as probation.