Justice Center Publications
Mental Health Courts: A Guide to Research-Informed Policy and Practice
Reviews the design and function of mental health courts, outcomes of mental health court participation, and questions and implications for policy and practice. This guide is intended to assist policymakers and practitioners in assessing the utility of mental health courts. (download)
Reviews the design and function of mental health courts, outcomes of mental health court participation, and questions and implications for policy and practice. This guide is intended to assist policymakers and practitioners in assessing the utility of mental health courts. (download)
Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses: The Essential Elements of a Mental Health Court
Outlines 10 elements essential to mental health court design and implementation and provides background on why each element is important and how courts can adhere to it. (download)
Outlines 10 elements essential to mental health court design and implementation and provides background on why each element is important and how courts can adhere to it. (download)
Local Program Example
Media Clips
Delaware Online (DE) — Mental Health Court targets recidivism
5/7/12 — "It’s not often that a Superior Court judge comes down from the bench to hug a defendant."
Daily Journal (OK) — Oklahoma drug and mental health courts lauded for cutting prison costs and battling addictions
4/25/12 — "Dozens of Oklahoma drug and mental health court graduates crowded into the state Capitol Wednesday to tell lawmakers about how the programs have helped turn their lives around."