Delaware courts picked for mental health pilot program

The program will develop a curriculum for best practices in Delaware’s Mental Health Courts.

 

It’s funded by a grant from the Council of State Governments Justice Center.  The center’s Bureau of Justice Assistance picked Delaware because of the state’s commitment to the success of Mental Health Courts.  

“This is another critical step forward in our commitment to providing community-based services for people with mental illnesses,” said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.  “The option for judges to order mental health treatment for some offenders rather than jail will be an important way to improve the lives of those with mental illnesses, while ensuring public safety.”

Delaware’s Mental Health Court program started in 2003 as an effort to help criminals with mental health issues get the treatment they need.  State officials say the program has made it easier to access community mental health services and helped relieved prison overcrowding.