Lincoln County Commissioners, along with law enforcement, the District Attorney and the Courts are getting tired of seeing many jail inmates being repeatedly re-arrested for minor crimes and being recycled through the criminal justice system. And so commissioners are making a minor investment in a program to prevent some of those folks from repeatedly coming through the doors at the Sheriff’s Office and the Courthouse.
Lincoln County Public Information Officer Casey Miller says the county is launching a new approach. They’re calling it “Mental Health Court.” Similar to “Drug Court,” a small number of “promising” defendants will be handled by a judge who will give special attention to mental health issues. Rather than automatically being sentenced to jail time or lengthy probation (at great cost to the county) the Mental Health Court will enroll these select few defendants into mental health programs, some of which may require certain medications.
Casey said since these medications are frequently expensive, and the fact that most defendants are indigent, Lincoln County Commissioners are investing $10,000 toward providing defendants with the prescriptions they need to succeed. County Commission Chair Bill Hall said “the funding is to provide seed money to ensure defendants have the best chance for turning their lives around.” Hall adds there is a very good chance that the county’s $10,000 investment can be recaptured through grants and other fundraising to be rolled over to benefit other minor crime defendants who show promise at becoming productive citizens again.
Miller says the Mental Health Court will target five specific defendants for enrollment later this month. Lincoln County’s Behavioral Health program staff will join other mental health professionals in the community to act as a team to assist the judge in creating a better outcomes than just ordering more jail and probation time.
Commission Chairman Bill Hall said he realizes that economic times are tight, but he and his fellow commissioners view the new Mental Health Court as a valuable cost-savings program for the courts and for law enforcement.
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ARe you kidding me? I watch the jail roster all the time. We have a huge Meth and heroin problem around here . It isn’t mental health. Giving them more drugs isn’t the answer. If they want to solve the Jail over crowding they should stop arresting people for petty crimes and just fine them. DEAL WITH THE DRUGGIES IN THIS COUNTY. It’s only going to get worse. I have been ripped off, assaulted and I have to look at these vagrants running around my kids all the time. The jail is full of meth heads. I got a speeding ticket for going under the speed limit if you can believe that.. When i confronted the officer with the fact that I have gps controlled speed and a radar that showed me when he clocked me, he blew it off and told me to go to court. they just made me apy the fine with ZERO proof of me speeding. Over 200 right there to house the meth heads and pay for the 50k in dry cleaning for the sheriff. Let’s not forget the more than 250k in furniture for the sheriff too. They bitch about inmates being expensive and they spend 50k on dry cleaning? Gimme a break! oh I forgot you get no warnings or breaks in this county. This county is a disgrace. As soon as the market gets even a little back on track, I’m selling and moving out of this meth infested county.
Jim, I understand your frustration. But moving won’t solve the problem. Meth is like stop signs. They’re all over the place. Drugs are a symptom of mental illness. Not being able to cope with life, and then reaching for a drug (alcohol included) is a mental health issue. You can either accept reality or reject it at your own peril. Right now, America is a tough place to live. Everywhere you go, there it is. A little change of thinking will do you a lot of good.
I was in Drug Court for a year and it really helped me to stay off drugs and on Friday, Oct. 8th I will be 2 years clean off of Meth and I have no plans of ever doing it again. Thanks to Drug Court and its team I learned how to change my life back around for the better. I have never had Mental Health issues but I know some of the people in there did. I am hoping that this Mental Health court thing works so it can help get more people get clean and to where they can turn their lives around just like I have. To comment on Jim’s response to this Meth is everywhere it is like an epidemic that is still going on, so I bet that where ever you move to that town or city will have Meth there as well. The solution isn’t to move, its to get more people the help they need to get off of drugs and stay off of them.
That was a very brave letter. I feel like I should frame it and hang it on my window so people walking by can “get it” about drugs and some peoples’ valiant fight against them. Bless you for having the spirit and the character to do what’s right. Few so-called “normal people” will ever fully know what you’ve been through. But many others who have survived their fight with “the beast” are forever your friends.