Wichita, Kan., establishes mental health court

From The AP:

WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita city leaders have established a mental health court to provide treatment and support, rather than punishment, for people with severe mental problems who break the law.

The court is expected to start hearing cases early in October, said Municipal Judge Bryce Abbott. The city council approved an ordinance last week authorizing it within the Wichita municipal court system.

“We’ll be getting everybody in the room at the same time, figure out a plan of attack and what’s needed and see that it gets provided,” Abbott said.

The court will be supported by the city prosecutor and public defender’s offices, the probation department and Sedgwick County Comcare, the county’s mental health agency, said Donte Martin, assistant to the municipal court administrator.

The court will act as a diversion program for mentally ill people facing trial. It will allow them to avoid a criminal conviction if they accept and fulfill a treatment plan. The program also can be used by those on probation.

Mentally ill defendants facing charges for things like trespassing, stealing food or causing a public disturbance will be eligible for referrals to the court, Abbott said.

“The first problem is, you need somebody who understands they’re being punished,” Abbott said. “We continue to incarcerate people who in many cases don’t even understand why they’re there.”

Mentally ill inmates also tend to stay longer in jail and cost more because once they are incarcerated they are ineligible for regular programs that pay for their treatment and medication, which the jail then has to provide, he said.

“It’s frustrating to prosecute the same people over and over and know there’s no way to get help for them,” City Attorney Gary Rebenstorf said. “This is a way to hopefully address it.”

Through a $238,000 Justice Department grant, the federal government is picking up most of the cost of the pilot program for its first two years. The city will provide additional in-kind funding of $102,000, including salaries, equipment costs and training.

Several other states have mental health courts, but they’ve usually started at the state Supreme Court and spread down through the court system, Abbott said. He said he hopes Wichita’s program can set an example.