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Northampton County to offer mental health court

Morning Call (Allentown, PA) - 11/21/2014

Nov. 20--Northampton County will soon offer a mental health court with the goal of helping defendants get treatment so they can avoid a criminal record.

Beginning in January, officials will begin the county's first mental health court that will offer defendants assistance with housing, medication and treatment, rather than time in jail, authorities said at a news conference Thursday.

President Judge Stephen Baratta called it "the first problem-solving court," saying the goal is to help those with lifelong mental histories of mental illness receive treatment and avoid a criminal record.

"Very often, once many of these individuals are stable and getting treatment, they can become very productive members of society," Baratta said.

The new court will use the county's current resources and won't require any additional hires, said Executive John Brown. He said those services already provided by the county -- either during time in jail or after release -- will be offered up front for those approved to participate.

"It will probably show a savings, not so much in dollars and cents, but by being able to take the few resources we have and getting more value out of those resources," Brown said.

District Attorney John Morganelli spearheaded the initiative for mental health court in February, saying it was time to break the cycle of recidivism that plagues many people suffering mental illnesses who end up in the criminal justice system.

"Unfortunately, today, more and more mentally ill people are being sent to jail instead of receiving the mental health care they need," Morganelli said.

The proposed mental health court address the "root causes" of behaviors that bring people into the criminal justice system, Morganelli said, adding the mental health court would not handle crimes such as homicides, sex assaults and felony drug charges.

Morganelli said he would approve cases brought to the mental health court after review of the person's mental health history. Those who successfully complete the treatment would then have their criminal cases dismissed, Morganelli said.

Baratta and his staff wrote a manual that will "serve as the heart and soul" to guide those in the criminal justice system through the mental health court, Morganelli said.

Pennsylvania has 16 mental health courts, most of them in the eastern part of the state.

"For too long, I've witnessed individuals who are truly mentally ill enter the criminal justice system," Morganelli said. "It's time for a mental health court in Northampton County."

Pamela.lehman@mcall.com

Twitter @pamelalehman

610-820-6790

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