June 16, 2009
Canton Municipal Court Launches Mental Health Court Program
Canton Municipal Court began accepting referrals Monday for its newly created Mental Health Court Program.
Operated jointly by the court and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County (MHRSB), the two-year treatment program will provide comprehensive, coordinated care and supervision intended to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration, according to court administrator Michael E. Kochera.
Kochera said the program will target defendants whose symptoms of mental illness, history of treatment non-compliance and/or refusal to accept treatment results in a recurring pattern of misdemeanor offenses.
“The goal is to reduce recidivism among defendants who exhibit severe mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders as well as to improve their quality of life by stabilizing them in the least restrictive environment,” Kochera said.
John Aller, MHRSB executive director, said the court and board are collaborating on this important effort to benefit the community. “This is about providing people an integrated mental health/criminal justice program and from that, the ability to lead a better life,” he said. “Treatment works. People recover.”
Canton Municipal Court Contact: Michael E. Kochera, 330.438.4210
MHRSB Contact: John Aller, 330.455.6644