Mental Health Court Honors First Successful Participants

The Cook County Mental Health Court, begun two years ago, celebrated the successful completion of the program by its first three participants. Mental Health Court is a two-year, voluntary probation program for individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

The participants were honored today at a daytime ceremony at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse. Also honored were 35 successful participants of the Drug Treatment Program.

"We are encouraged by the achievements of all these graduates, but especially by those from the Mental Health Treatment Court Program, our newest problem-solving court," said Chief Judge Timothy Evans. "The success of these men and women underscores our commitment to implementing court-based programs that treat the underlying causes of the chronic behavior of certain defendants, while still holding them accountable for their actions."

Presiding Judge Paul Biebel of the Criminal Division said he is pleased with the results of the Criminal Division's Mental Health Treatment Court that is one of only a few such felony courts in the United States, and is the result of two years of multi-agency planning and cooperation among several agencies that include the Office of the Presiding Judge, the Office of the Cook County State's Attorney, the Office of the Cook County Public Defender, the Adult Probation Department's Mental Health Unit, Cermak Health Services, the Illinois Department of Mental Health, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities and a number of community treatment providers.

"Our drug treatment courts have been the pioneer in the area of problem-solving courts, and have demonstrated extremely positive results for the 469 graduates since its inception in 1998," Judge Biebel said.

The Mental Health Court was recently recognized by top federal officials as a model for other jurisdictions across the nation to steer the mentally ill away from prison and into treatment.

Since the program began two years ago, 55 people have participated, 37 of whom are still with the program, representing a 70 percent retention rate.

"This program has exceeded our expectations," Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine said. "I believe we will make a real impact on breaking the cycle of repeat offenses by individuals who suffer from mental illness."

Participants agree to abide the requirements of the program, which include treatment, counseling and abstaining from drugs and alcohol in order to avoid a prison sentence.

The goal of the program is to address the disproportionate number of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system, many of whom also have an alcohol or illegal drug problem.

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