It used to be the norm to incarcerate mentally ill people who committed a crime, and in too many cases it still is. The Washington Post reported that in 2012 there were 356,268 people with mental illnesses behind bars, 10 times the number in state psychiatric hospitals.
Recognizing this disturbing fact, Shelby County, Tennessee officials created a mental health court to divert those needing mental health treatment away from incarceration.
The following article announcing a more progressive and humane manner of treating those with a mental illnesses appeared in the Memphis Flyer on January 14, 2016.
“Shelby County General Sessions Judge Gerald Skahan often sees the same defendants time and time again in his criminal courtroom.
"They're people who have serious, persistent mental health issues, and we see them over and over. It's like, 'You're back again, Steve.' It's the same thing every time," Skahan said.
Some repeat offenders suffering from mental illness are accused of serious, violent crimes, but Skahan said the majority are charged with what he calls "nuisance crimes" — shoplifting, public drunkenness, crimes associated with drug use. The court calls them "frequent fliers," meaning they're in and out of jail eight to 10 times per year.
Beginning this month, defendants suffering from mental illness will be given a chance to have their charges dropped in exchange for completing a year-long mental health treatment plan determined by the new Shelby County Mental Health Court.
Shelby County General Sessions Judge Gerald Skahan often sees the same defendants time and time again in his criminal courtroom.
"They're people who have serious, persistent mental health issues, and we see them over and over. It's like, 'You're back again, Steve.' It's the same thing every time," Skahan said.
Some repeat offenders suffering from mental illness are accused of serious, violent crimes, but Skahan said the majority are charged with what he calls "nuisance crimes" — shoplifting, public drunkenness, crimes associated with drug use. The court calls them "frequent fliers," meaning they're in and out of jail eight to 10 times per year.
Beginning this month, defendants suffering from mental illness will be given a chance to have their charges dropped in exchange for completing a year-long mental health treatment plan determined by the new Shelby County Mental Health Court.” Read More
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