michigan’s problem-solving courts: solving … · problem-solving courts is essential to ensuring...

S O LV I N G PR O B LE M S, SAV I N G LI V E S: M S C PR O B LE M -S O LV I N G CO U R T S AN N UAL R E P O R T PAG E 1

MICHIGAN’S PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS:

SOLVING PROBLEMS, SAVING LIVES

Michigan Supreme Court

FY 2017 Annual Report on Performance Measures and Outcomes


TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S

(Data compiled: October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017)

Executive Summary..........................................................................................3

Overview of Michigan’s Drug Courts...............................................................6 Caseload Statistics...................................................................................7 Michigan’sDrugCourtGraduates’OutcomeMeasures..........................7 DrugCourtRecidivism...........................................................................10 RecidivismRatesforGraduates.............................................................10 RecidivismRatesforAllParticipants......................................................15 DrugCourtGraduates’PerformanceMeasures....................................18 IgnitionInterlock....................................................................................22 IgnitionInterlockParticipants’Outcomes..............................................23 InterlockRecidivism...............................................................................24 RecidivismRatesforGraduates..............................................................24 RecidivismRatesforAllParticipants.....................................................26 DrugCourtSuccessStories....................................................................28Overview of Mental Health Courts...............................................................30 Caseload Statistics.................................................................................31 MentalHealthCourtGraduates’OutcomesMeasures.........................31 MentalHealthCourtRecidivism...........................................................33 RecidivismRatesforGraduates.............................................................33 RecidivismRatesforAllParticipants......................................................36 MentalHealthCourtGraduates’PerformanceMeasures.....................37 MentalHealthCourtSuccessStories....................................................40Overview of Veterans Treatment Courts......................................................41 CaseloadStatistics..................................................................................41 VeteransTreatmentCourtGraduates’Outcomes.................................42 VeteransTreatmentCourtGraduates’PerformanceMeasures............43 VeteransTreatmentCourtSuccessStories............................................43

Learn more about MI Problem-Solving Courts: www.courts.mi.gov/psc


E X ECU T I V E SU M M A RY

NUMBERS AS OF

JAN. 1, 2018:• Michiganhas185

problem- solvingcourts. 127 Drug/Sobriety 25 Veterans 33 Mental Health

• Thesecourtsareaccessibleto97percentofMichi-gan’spopulation.

• Michiganisanationalleaderwith25veteranstreatmentcourts.

Problem-solvingcourtsarespecialcourtprogramsthatfocusonprovidingtreatmentandintensesupervisiontooffendersinsteadoflockingtheminprison.Theseincludedrugandsobriety,mentalhealth,veterans,andothernontraditionalcourts. TheMichiganSupremeCourt(MSC),throughitsStateCourtAdministrativeOffice(SCAO),assiststrialcourtjudgesinthemanagementofthesecourtsbyproviding training, edu-cation, operational standards, monitoring, certification requirements, and funding.

SupportforthesecourtsispartofMSC’s“drivingchange”initiativetomeasureperformance,implementbestpractices,andimproveoutcomes.

Problem-solvingcourtssavelivesthroughstrictsupervisionandtreatment.They

improvethequalityoflifeforbothgraduatesandforthecommunityatlarge.Theyalsoreducecrimeandmakecommunitiessaferbecausegraduatesaremuchlesslikelytocommitanotheroffense.Finally,problem-solvingcourtssavemoneybyavoidingcostlyincarceration.

The Michigan Supreme Court recognizes the many judges across the state who voluntari-ly take on these additional dockets to truly solve problems and save lives.

DRUG & SOBRIETY COURT GRADUATES COMMITTED FEWER REPEAT OFFENSES Michigandrugcourtsdischarged2,914participantsduringFY2017.Ofthose,1,814participants(62%) had successfully completed a program.

Becausesuccessfulparticipantscommitfewerrepeatoffenses,theseprogramsarehelpingtoreducecrime,makingcommunitiesaroundthestatesafer.Forinstance,drugcourtgraduateswere FAR LESS likelytocommitanothercrimeaftertwoyears,asopposedtosimilaroffenderswhodidnotparticipateinadrugcourtprogram(seegraphbelow).


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (CONT.)

DRUG AND SOBRIETY COURT GRADUATES FOUND EMPLOYMENT UnemploymentamongdrugcourtgraduateswasDRASTICALLY re-duced,asseeninthegraphbelow.Thisissoimportantbecausehavingsteadyemploymentandincomearemajorfactorsinimprovinggradu-ates’overallqualityoflife.Themorepeopleareemployed,thestrongerthecommunitiy.

IGNITION INTERLOCK IMPACT

Ignition interlock devices are used to control drunk driving recidivism among chronic DWI offenders who are partici-pating in sobriety court programs.

There were 702 participants using ignition interlock devices who were discharged from a treatment court program during FY 2017. Of those, 637 (91%) successfully completed a prob-lem-solving court (PSC) program.

Sobriety court graduates using interlock devices were SEVEN TIMES LESS LIKELY to commit another offense after two years.

VETERANS TREATMENT COURT GRADUATES IMPROVED THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE

Veteranstreatmentcourtprogramsintegrateprinciplesfrombothdrugcourtsandmentalhealthcourtstoservemilitaryveteranswhosufferfrommentalillness,substanceusedisorders,ortraumaticbraininjuries.Therewere221veteransdischargedfromaprogramduringFY2017andofthose,146participants(66%) had successfully completed a program.Inaddition,MORE THAN HALF ofunemployedveteranparticipantsfoundworkbythetimetheygraduated,asillustratedinthegraphbelow.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (CONT.)

IMPORTANCE OF VETERAN MENTORS

TheeffectivenessofMichigan’s25veteranstreatmentcourts(VTCs)isdue,inlargepart,totheuniquecomponentofthevolunteerveteranmentors.Mentorsarematchedtoparticipantsbasedonwarorconflict,rank,andbranchofservice,whichhasproventobethemostimportantcriterionfordevelopingalastingbond.

Becauseveteranmentorshavehadsomeofthesameexperiences,VTCparticipantscon-fideintheirmentors,areopentodiscussions,andareacceptingoftheirhelp.ThathelpcomesintheformofassistanceinnavigatingtheVA,transportationtoappointments,supportatcourtreviewhearings,andmuchmore.

MSChostedaJusticeForVets2-daymentorbootcampinOctober2017,whichprovidedtrainingfor60veteranmentorsfrom12courtsacrossMichigan.

MENTAL HEALTH COURT GRADUATES COMMITTED FEWER REPEAT OFFENSES, IMPROVED THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE

Mentalhealthcourts(MHCs)collaborate closely with community mental health service providers to ensure that partici-pants have access to a wide range of treatment services. Asaresult,graduateswereFAR LESS likelytocommitanothercrimeaftertwoyears,asthegraphbelowillustrates.

Inaddition,nearly100percentofallMHCgraduates(adultandjuvenile)reportedimprovedmentalhealthandanoverallimprovedqualityoflifeuponcompletingaprogram.Furtheringthequalityoflifeimprovement,morethanhalfofun-employedadultsinMHCsfoundemploymentbythetimetheygraduated,andnearly100percentofjuvenilesinMHCsimprovedtheireducationlevelsbythetimetheycompletedaprogram.Thesesuccessesprovideasolidfoundationfortheseindividualstoimprovetheirlives,takecareoftheirfamilies,andhelpmaketheircommunitiesstronger.

Asked why he

became a mentor, one Marine vet instructor said

simply, “I do this because I can’t save the friends I lost.”


Drugcourtisanumbrellatermthatreferstovoluntaryjudicialprogramsthatofferanalternativetoimprisonmentfornonviolentcriminaloffenderswithsubstanceusedisorders(SUD).Tocombatoffenderscyclinginandoutofthecriminaljusticesystem,problem-solvingcourtsuseaspecializedtherapeuticjurisprudencemodeldesignedtotreattheSUDunderlyingthecriminalbehaviorand,therefore,reducerecidivism.

Participantsareheldaccountablethroughintensivesupervision,frequentjudicialstatusreviewhearings,randomandfrequentdrugtesting,andgraduatedincentivesandsanctions.Drugcourtsemphasizeaholisticandteamapproachthatincludesjudges,prosecutors,programcoordinators,probationofficersandcasemanagers,lawenforcement,defensecounsel,andtreatmentproviders. MichiganCompiledLaw600.1060(c)definesadrugtreatmentcourtas“...acourt-supervisedtreatmentprogramforindividualswhoabuseoraredependentuponanycontrolledsubstanceoralcohol.”Drugcourtshaveevolvedovertimeandnowincludeseveralmodelstoservespecificoffenderpopulations,andalthoughtheysharethesametherapeuticjurisprudencemodel,eachdrugcourtmodelhasspecificprogramguidelinesthatframeitsoperations.

Adult drug courtsaredefinedasprogramsthattargetdrug-relatednon-drunkdrivingfelonyand/ormisdemeanoroffenses,andtheirframework

isderivedfrom“DefiningDrugCourts:TheKeyComponents(TenKeyComponentsofDrugCourts).”

Sobriety courtsacceptonlydrunkdrivingoffendersandtheirframeworkisderivedfromTheTenGuidingPrinciplesofSobrietyCourts.

Hybrid courtscombinetheadultdrugcourtmodelandthesobrietycourtmodelbecausetheseprogramsacceptbothdrunkdrivingandnon-drunkdrivingoffenders.

Michiganalsohasjuvenile drug courts,whichacceptcriminalandstatusoffenders(i.e.,juvenilesdeemedtoberunaways,incorrigible,ortruant),andtheirframeworkisderivedfromJuvenileDrugCourt:StrategiesinPractice.

TheTribalAdvisoryCommitteedescribesitsdrugcourts(tribaldrugtreatmentcourts)as“Healing

to Wellness” Courts.

Lastly,family dependency treatment courts targetselectedchildabuseandneglectcaseswhereparentalsubstanceabuseisaprimaryfactor.Theseprogramshaveofferedasolutiontotheproblemofjailovercrowding,aswellastotheproblemofdrug-andalcohol-relatedcrime.

ToseetheofficiallistofeachPSCinMichigananditsdefinedprogramtypeasofJanuary2018,pleasevisithttp://courts.mi.gov/administration/admin/op/problem-solving-courts/pages/default.aspxandaccessthepageforeachtypeofproblem-solvingcourt.

O V E R V I E W O F D R U G C O U R T S


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

MICHIGAN’S

CERTIFICATION OF DRUG COURTS

While the model to each drug court is the foundation upon which courts build and implement their program, incorporating national best prac-tices to the ongoing operations of problem-solving courts is essential to ensuring program participation produces the best outcomes.

Best practices are proven practices that make problem-solving courts (PSCs) more effective at reducing recidivism. New, beginning in FY 2018, SCAO’s Problem-Solving Court team will be helping programs to implement required best practices and standards in accordance with the new certification process.

Courts that are certified and thus recognized by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and Department of State as a PSC can offer ignition interlock restricted driver’s licenses, are eligible for grant funding through the SCAO, can collect program fees to supplement participation, and may discharge and dismiss cases in accordance with the applicable PSC statute.

Michigan’s mental health courts and veterans treatment courts will begin the certification process in 2019.

Caseload Statistics October1,2016–September30,2017

Duringfiscalyear(FY)2017,Michigan’sdrugcourts:

• Screened4,294potentialparticipants.• Admitted2,992offendersintoaprogram.• Discharged2,914participants.

DuringFY2017,thetotalnumberofparticipantswhowereactiveinworkingadrugcourtprogramwas6,582andisbrokendownbypro-gramtype:

• Hybridprogramstotaled4,022participants(61%).• Sobrietyprogramstotaled1,786participants(27%).• Adultdrugprogramstotaled332participants(5%).• Juveniledrugprogramstotaled260participants(4%).• Familydependencyprogramstotaled182participants(3%).

Michigan’s Drug Court Graduates’ Outcome MeasuresOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Outcomemeasuresareusedtodeterminetheeffectivenessofaprogram.Short-termgoalsofalldrugcourtsincludethepercentageofparticipantswhosuccessfullycompletedaprogram,thepercentageretainedintheprogram,andwhetherparticipantsimprovedtheiremploymentstatusoreducationlevelupongraduation.

Further,participantabstinencefromalcoholanddruguseisagoalofalldrugcourtprogramsandcanbemeasuredbythenumberofconsecutivesobrietydaysgraduatesachieved.Thedifferenttypesofservicesthatdrugcourtprogramsprovideparticipantscanalsobemeasuredwhenevaluatingprogramsuccess.Longer-termgoalsofdrugcourtsincludereducingrecidivism,whichalsoreducescoststothecommunity.

Success Rate:• Therewere2,914participantsdischargedfromaprogramduring

FY2017andofthose,1,814participants(62%)hadsuccessfullycompletedaprogram.

• 31%weredischargedunsuccessfullyduetononcompliance,ab-sconding,oranewoffense.

• 7%weredischargedforreasonssuchasvoluntarilywithdrew,“other,”transferredtoanotherjurisdiction,death,medicaldis-charge,orstatutorilyineligible.


Achievingandmaintainingabstinencefromalcoholanddrugsisanothergoalofdrugcourts.Na-tionalbestpracticeresearchsuggestsparticipantsshouldhaveaminimumof90daysofsobrietybeforegraduating.

Theaveragenumberofconsecutivesobrietydaysbyprogramtype:

• Graduatesofadultdrugcourtprogramsaveraged316consecutivedaysofsobriety.• Graduatesofsobrietycourtprogramsaveraged432consecutivedaysofsobriety.• Graduatesofhybridprogramsaveraged333consecutivedaysofsobriety.• Graduatesofjuveniledrugcourtprogramsaveraged171consecutivedaysofsobriety.Juvenile

drugcourtprogramsaretypicallyshorterindurationthanadultprograms.• Graduatesoffamilydependencytreatmentcourtprogramsaveraged294consecutivedaysof

sobriety.Thistypeofprogramacceptsneglectandabusepetitionsthataretypicallyadjudicatedwithinoneyear.

DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Success Rate (cont).


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Employment

Substanceabuseofteninterfereswithproductivityonthejob,theabilitytomaintainemployment,orbeingproactiveinseekingemploymentamongadultoffenders.Employmenteffortsareusuallyencouragedoncetheparticipanthasbeenclinicallystabilized.

• Adultdrugcourtprogramgraduatessawa100%reductioninunemployment.• Sobrietycourtprogramgraduatessawa77%reductioninunemployment.• Hybridcourtprogramgraduatessawa61%reductioninunemployment.• FamilyDependencycourtprogramgraduatessawa42%reductioninunemployment.

*Juvenile drug court offenders were not included as their main goal while working a program is to improve their education level.

“The program is not just about sobriety and being clean from drugs. That is obviously of primary

importance, but once you have those things, we want you to be able to go out and live a good life.”

-ChiefJudgeGenoSalomone23rdDistrictCourtRegionalDWICourt,WayneCounty


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Education

Juvenileshadthehighestrateofimprovededucationlevel,suggestingtheywereabletostayinschoolandadvancetothenextgradewhileintheprogram.

Drug Court Recidivism

Recidivism Rates for Graduates

Thetwo-yearanalysesofgraduateswhoenteredaprogramincludedatotalof14,321matchedpairs,andthefour-yearanalysesincluded11,247matchedpairs.Therecidivismratesarebrokenoutbyprogramtype.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Any New Conviction (Graduates) – 2 Years

Program Type Favorable Percent Reduction in Recidivism

Statistically Significant

AdultDrug Yes 73% YesSobriety Yes 81% YesHybrid Yes 63% YesJuvenile Yes 28% YesFamilyDependency Yes 63%


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Any New Conviction (Graduates) – 4 years



AdultDrug Yes 52% YesSobriety Yes 55% YesHybrid Yes 39% YesJuvenile Yes 3%FamilyDependency Yes 29%


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Alcohol or Drug Conviction (Graduates) – 2 Years



AdultDrug Yes 75% YesSobriety Yes 85% YesHybrid Yes 67% YesJuvenile Yes 17%FamilyDependency Yes 83% Yes

“I am a firm believer in the treatment court model. As a judge, it has been an honor

to work with our participants in their commitment to recovery.”

-JudgeStewartMcDonald65BDistrictCourtDrugCourt,GratiotCounty


Alcohol or Drug Conviction (Graduates) – 4 Years



AdultDrug Yes 56% YesSobriety Yes 63% YesHybrid Yes 41% YesJuvenile No -10%FamilyDependency Yes 33%

DRUG COURTS (CONT.)


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Recidivism Rates for All Participants

Thetwoyear-analysesofallparticipantswhoenteredaprogramincludedatotalof24,451matchedpairs,andthefour-yearanalysesincluded19,568matchedpairs.Therecidivismratesarebrokenoutbyprogramtype.

Any New Conviction – 2 Years



AdultDrug Yes 28% YesSobriety Yes 50% YesHybrid Yes 22% YesJuvenile Yes 11% YesFamilyDependency Yes 24%


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Any New Conviction (All Participants) – 4 Years



AdultDrug Yes 11% Sobriety Yes 29% YesHybrid No 0% Juvenile No -10% FamilyDependency No -32%


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Alcohol or Drug Conviction (All Participants) – 2 years



AdultDrug Yes 23% YesSobriety Yes 57% YesHybrid Yes 33% YesJuvenile Yes 6%FamilyDependency Yes 53%


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Alcohol or Drug Convictions (All Participants) – 4 Years



AdultDrug Yes 10%Sobriety Yes 35% YesHybrid Yes 6% YesJuvenile No -13% YesFamilyDependency No -26%

Drug Court Graduates’ Performance MeasuresOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Participatinginadrugcourtprogramismuchmoreregimentedthanstandardprobation.Drugcourtsrequireparticipantstoengageinsubstanceabusetreatment,testfordrugsandalcoholfrequently,andappearbeforethejudgeforupdatesonetotwotimespermonth.Programsre-wardgoodbehaviorwithvaryingincentivesandaddressbadbehaviorwithprogramsanctions.Thefollowinggraphsillustratetheaveragenumberofservicesthatparticipantsinthedifferentprogramtypesreceived.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Treatment ProgramsofferdifferentmodalitiesofsubstanceabusetreatmentguidedbytheAmericanSocietyofAddictionMedicine(ASAM)criteria.Differentlevelsofcareincluderesidentialstays,intensiveout-patientservices,outpatientservices,anddetoxificationservices.Theaveragenumberofalltypesofsubstanceabusetreatmentmodalitiesarecalculatedinhoursandshownbelowbyprogramtype.

Drug/Alcohol Tests Randomandfrequentdrugandalcoholtestingisanobjectivemethodformonitoringabstinenceandnewuse.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Positive Drug/Alcohol Tests Newdrugandalcoholuseisoftenmetwithrapidtreatmentinterventions.

Incentives Drugcourtsincorporateastrength-basedapproachanduseincentivestoreinforceproductivebehaviorsthatsupportrecovery.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Sanctions Manytypesofsanctionsareusedtomodifybehaviorandtheresponsetoinfractionsareimmedi-ate.

Review Hearings Drugcourtsvaryfromstandardprobationinthatparticipantsregularlyappearbeforethedrugcourtjudgetodiscusstheirprogressandstruggles.Itaffordstheparticipantanunderstandingthattheteamissupportiveandinvestedintheirrecovery.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Length in Program Thelengthoftimethatparticipantsspendinaprogramvariesbytheprogramtype.

Ignition Interlock

In2013,PublicAct226allowedeligiblerepeatOperatingWhileImpaired(OWI)offenderstheabilitytoreceivearestrictedlicensethroughtheignitioninterlockprogrambyparticipatinginasobrietyordrugcourtprogram.

EligibleusersareorderedbyadrugcourtjudgetohaveaBreathAlcoholIgnitionInterlockDevice(BAI-ID)installedonallvehiclesthattheyownoroperate.Thedeviceisdesignedtopreventthevehiclefromstartingifthedriverhasabloodalcoholcontentaboveapre-establishedlevel,whichismoni-toredbyblowingintothedevice.

Thepassingof2013PA226andfavorableresultsoftheinterlockpilotproject,whichcanbefoundintheMichiganDWI/SobrietyCourtIgnitionInterlockEvaluation2015Report,openedothercourtstoofferingthedevicetoeligibleparticipants.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

1Missing data was removed from the analyses.

• InFY2017therewere1,283activeparticipantsamong70sobriety,hybrid,veterans,andtribalHeal-ing-To-Wellnessprogramswhoweremembersoftheinterlockprogramwithaninstalleddeviceontheirvehicle(s).

• Themajorityofparticipantswhohadignitioninterlocksinstalledwerecompliantwiththetermsofitsuse: > Lessthanonepercentofusersremovedtheignitioninterlockdevicewithoutapproval.

> Lessthanonepercentofuserstamperedwiththedevice. > Onepercentoperatedavehiclewithoutthedevice.1

Ignition Interlock Participants’ OutcomesOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Therapyforsubstanceabuseincludeslearningnewcopingskillstohelppreventrelapse.Whenpar-ticipantsareengagedintherapyitincreasesthelikelihoodthattheywillsucceedinatreatmentcourtprogramandmaintainabstinence.Evaluatingtherateofprogramcompletionandthenumberofconsecutivesobrietydaysforinterlockparticipantsisagoodmeasureoftheirsuccesstowardcontinuedabstinence.

• Therewere702participantsusingignitioninterlockdeviceswhoweredischargedfromatreatmentcourtprogramduringFY2017.Ofthose,637(91%)successfullycompletedaPSCprogram.

• 8%weredischargedunsuccessfullyduetononcompliance,absconding,oranewoffense.• 1%wasdischargedforreasonssuchasvoluntarilywithdrew,“other,”transferredtoanotherjurisdic-

tion,death,medicaldischarge,orstatutorilyineligible.

Graduateswithignitioninterlockdevices:

• Achievedanaverageof389daysofconsecutivesobriety.• Spentanaverageof520daysinaPSCprogram.• Averaged418drugandalcoholtestsandlessthanonepercentofthosetestswerepositive.

“I have operated a sobriety court since 2007, and a veterans treatment court since 2009, and have

experienced up close and personally the efficacy of problem-solving courts. Problem-solving courts are

a win-win proposition.”-JudgeRaymondVoet

IoniaTreatment&SobrietyCourt,64ADistrictCourtVeteransTreatmentCourt


Interlock Recidivism


Thetwo-yearanalysesofgraduatesofadrugcourtprogramwhousedinterlockincludedatotalof2,061matchedpairs,andthefour-yearanalysesincluded1,125matchedpairs.

Any New Conviction (Graduates) – Two and Four Years

Graduates Analyses Favorable Percent Reduction in Recidivism


TwoYears–AnyNewConviction

Yes 86% Yes

FourYears–AnyNewConviction

Yes 61% Yes

DRUG COURTS (CONT.)


Alcohol or Drug Conviction (Graduates) – Two and Four Years

Graduates Analyses

Favorable Percent Reduction in Recidivism


TwoYears–AlcoholorDrugConviction

Yes 82% Yes

FourYears–AlcoholorDrugConviction

Yes 64% Yes

DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

“In a problem-solving court, you deal one-on-one with individuals. As a judge, it gives more mean-ing to your job and to your life to know that the

work that you’re doing is truly saving lives and making your community safer.”

-ChiefJudgeKathleenBrickleyVanBurenCountyFemaleDrugTreatmentCourtand

FamilyTreatmentCourt


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Any New Conviction (All Participants)– Two and Four Years

All Participants Analyses



TwoYears–AnyNewConviction

Yes 79% Yes

FourYears–AnyNewConviction

Yes 56% Yes


Thetwo-yearanalysesofallparticipantsinadrugcourtprogramwhousedinterlockincludedatotalof2,265matchedpairs,andthefour-yearanalysesincluded1,230matchedpairs.


DRUG COURTS (CONT.)

Alcohol or Drug Conviction (All Participants) – Two and Four Years

All Participants Analyses



TwoYears–AlcoholorDrugConviction

Yes 83% Yes

FourYears–AlcoholorDrugConviction

Yes 57% Yes


“I wanted to show people that this happens to all kinds of people—college degree or not, wealthy or not. It can happen to anyone.” -StacySalon SobrietyCourtGraduate

D R U G CO U R T SU CCE SS S TO R I E S

“You need to stop being angry, you need to be grateful. Where would you be if it weren’t for this program? You would not have half of the opportunities to live a normal life again.”-TanyaSwainSobrietyCourtGraduateandVolunteerMentor

“Because I was actually treated as someone with a disease rather than

a pariah of society, I was willing to accept all of the tools offered me.”

-KristenQuinnSobrietyCourtGraduateandVolunteerMentor

“Being there for other participants and sharing what worked for me is a continuation of the process for me.”

-AlanRautioSobrietyCourtGraduateandVolunteerMentor


O V E R V I E W O F M E N TA L H E A LT H C O U R T S

Unlikedrugcourts,Michigan’smentalhealthcourtsarereportedbywhetherthementalhealthprogramoperatesinanadultcircuitcourt,adultdistrictcourt,orareajuvenileprogramforyouthswhoareunder17yearsofage.

TheMichiganmentalhealthcourts(MHCs)targetoffenderswhohavebeendiagnosedwithaseri-ousmentalillness,seriousemotionaldisturbance,oradevelopmentaldisabilityasdefinedbyMCL330.1100a(25)and330.1100d(2)(3),andtheseverenatureofthementalillnessorfunctionalimpair-mentmustnecessitateintensiveclinicalservices.

MHCsoffereligibleoffenderstheopportunitytoparticipateinacourt-basedtreatmentprogramtoaddresstheirmentalillnessinsteadofsentencingthemtolengthyjailorprisonterms.

MHCsprovideintensejudicialoversight,treatmentthroughlocalcommunitymentalhealthserviceproviders,drugtestingwhenappropriate,referralstocommunityservicessuchashousingorclothingresources,enrollmentineducationalclassesand

certificateprograms,transportationassis-tance,andassistancewithobtainingemploy-ment.

CourtsthatreceiveMichiganMentalHealthCourtGrantPro-gram(MMHCGP)stategeneralfundsfromtheSCAOcollaboratecloselywithcommunitymentalhealthserviceproviderstoensurethatparticipantshaveaccesstoawiderangeoftreatmentservices.

Manymentalhealthcourtparticipantssufferfromsubstanceabuseinadditiontotheirmentalillnessandthus,programsmustprovidetreatmentforco-occurringsubstanceusedisordersalso.

InFY2017,overhalf(53%)ofactiveparticipantshadaco-occurringsubstanceusedisorderwhentheywerescreenedforamentalhealthcourtprogram.


Duringfiscalyear(FY)2017,Michigan’smentalhealthcourts:• Screened1,265potentialparticipants.• Admitted625offendersintoaprogram.• Discharged598participants.

DuringFY2017,thetotalnumberofparticipantswhowereactiveinworkingadrugcourtprogramwas1,247andisbrokendownbycourttype:

• Adultdistrictmentalhealthcourtstotaled678participants(54%).• Adultcircuitmentalhealthcourtstotaled476participants(38%).• Juvenilementalhealthcourtstotaled93participants(8%).


MENTAL HEALTH COURTS (CONT.)

Mental Health Court Graduates’ Outcomes MeasuresOctober1,2016–September30,2017

FactorsusedtoevaluatethesuccessofMHCsincludesuccessfulcompletionoftheprogram,improvementinemploymentoreducation,improvementinmentalhealth,improvementinqualityoflife,medicationcompli-ance,andreducedcriminalrecidivism.

Success Rate:• Therewere598participantsdischargedfrom30mentalhealthcourtsinFY2017andofthose,311partici-

pants(52%)successfullycompletedaprogram.• 40%weredischargedunsuccessfullyduetononcompliance,absconding,oranewoffense.• 8%weredischargedforreasonssuchasvoluntarilywithdrew,“other,”transferredtoanotherjurisdiction,

death,medicaldischarge,orstatutorilyineligible.



Employment StatusAdultmentalhealthcourtgraduatessawa56%reductioninunemployment.

*Juvenile mental health court offenders were not included as their main goal while working a program is to improve their education level.

Improved Education LevelAnimprovededucationlevelisnotthegoalofeveryparticipantbutyouthsinmentalhealthcourtswereespeciallylikelytocontinuetheireducationprogressingthroughhighschool.



Improved Mental Health

Improved Quality of Life



Medication Compliance

Mental Health Court Recidivism


Thetwo-yearanalysesparticipantswhograduatedamentalhealthcourtprogramincludedatotalof874matchedpairsandthefour-yearanalysesincluded444matchedpairsacrossallthreecourttypes.

“The Mental Health Court is literally the best part of my job as a judge because of some of

the cases and the success stories I see—best part of my job, best part of my docket.”

-JudgeJosephSkocelas MentalHealthCourtat57thDistrictCourtinAllegan


Recidivism (Graduates) – Two Years



AdultCircuitMentalHealth

Yes 59% Yes

AdultDistrictMentalHealth

Yes 46% Yes

JuvenileMentalHealth

Yes 44% Yes




Recidivism (Graduates) – Four Years

ProgramType Favorable PercentReductioninRecidivism

StatisticallySignificant


Yes 22% Yes


Yes 42% Yes


Yes 30%

“It really gives a holistic approach to criminal justice with the emphasis being not on punishment, but on rehabilitation, reducing the risk for reoffending, and

crisis intervention.” -ChiefJudgeLauraRedmondMack

WesternWayneCountyRegionalBehavioralCourt





Yes 35% Yes


Yes 19% Yes


Yes 27%


Thetwo-yearanalysesofallparticipantsinamentalhealthcourtprogramincludedatotalof1,779matchedpairs,andthefour-yearanalysesincluded906matchedpairsacrossallthreecourttypes.

Recidivism (All Participants) – Two Years




Recidivism (All Participants)– Four Years




Yes 16% Yes


Yes 23% Yes


Yes 27%

Mental Health Court Graduates’ Performance MeasuresOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Overall,graduatesofamentalhealthcourtprogramaveraged:

• 12Incentivesand2sanctions.• 25Scheduledreviewhearings.• 420daysinamentalhealthcourtprogram.


Performance Measures by Court Type




Performance Measures by Court Type (cont.)


M E N TA L H E A LT H CO U R T

SU CCE SS S TO R I E S

“The love that Judge Skocelas and his team showed for me had a huge impact on my life. They truly cared, and you could see it in the way that they looked at you, in the way that they talked to you, and in the resources they informed you about. They really wanted people to succeed.”—MakenzieScimecaMentalHealthCourtGraduate

“They gave me a chance in mental health court. Judge Tomlinson wasn’t

going to give up on me. He knew I had potential, and he showed me a

completely different side of the court system. He showed me that courts

can help. I really appreciate the pro-gram and the people involved in it. ”

-IvyCalkinsMentalHealthCourtGraduate



Duringfiscalyear(FY)2017,Michigan’sveteranstreatmentdrugcourts:• Screened334potentialparticipants.• Admitted245offendersintoaprogram.• Discharged221participants.

DuringFY2017,thetotalnumberofparticipantswhowereactiveinworkingaveteranstreatmentcourtprogramwas551among23courts.

O V E R V I E W O F V E T E R A N S T R E AT M E N T C O U R T S

Michiganveteranstreatmentcourts(VTC)followthedrugcourtmodelandrequirecompliancewithamodifiedversionoftheTenKeyCom-ponentsofDrugCourtsasrequiredbystatute.MichiganCompiledLaw600.1200,et seq., was passedinOctober2012,andoutlinestheopera-tionofveteranstreatmentcourtsinMichigan.

Theseprogramsintegrateprinciplesfrombothdrugcourtandmentalhealthcourttoservemili-taryveteranswhosufferfrommentalillness,sub-stanceusedisorders,ortraumaticbraininjuries.

VTCspromotesobriety,recovery,andstabilitythroughacoordinatedresponsethatinvolvescollaborationwiththetraditionalpartnersfoundindrugcourtsandmentalhealthcourts,aswell

astheDepart-mentofVeteransAffairs,volunteerveteranmentors,andorganizationsthatsupportvet-eransandtheirfamilies.

VTCsacrossthecountryhavebeenontheriseinanswertothegrowingnumberofveteransreturningfromduty.

ThenumberofMichigan’sVTCprogramshasrisento25inFY2017.

“It is enriching and rewarding in a way that is hard to describe. We have the opportunity to see people change their life circumstances in such a profound way, right before our eyes.”-ChiefJudgeWilliamBaillargeonWestMichiganRegionalVeteransTreatmentCourt


VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS (CONT.)

Veterans Treatment Court Graduates’ OutcomesOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Asmoreparticipantsaredischargedandhavehadtimepost-programforevaluation,recidivismanal-yseswillbecomeavailableforfuturereports.

• Therewere221veteransdischargedfromaprogramduringFY2017andofthose,146partici-pants(66percent)hadsuccessfullycompletedaprogram.

• 25%weredischargedunsuccessfullyduetononcompliance,absconding,oranewoffense.• 9%weredischargedforreasonssuchas“other,”death,transferredtoanotherjurisdiction,or

voluntarilywithdrew.

Graduates’ statistics:• Averaged396daysofconsecutivesobriety.• DespitemostveteranshavingobtainedatleastaGEDforaneducationlevel,12%stillhadim-

provedtheireducationlevelatdischarge.

Employment Status29%ofgraduateswereunemployedatadmissionand12%ofgraduateswereunemployedatdis-chargeresultingina59%reductioninunemployment.


VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS (CONT.)

Veterans Treatment Court Graduates’ Performance MeasuresOctober1,2016–September30,2017

Graduatesaveraged:• Eightincentivesandonesanctionwhileworkingtheprogram.• 21scheduledcourtreviewhearings.• 190drug/alcoholtests.• Twopercentofdrug/alcoholtestswerepositive.• 525daysinaprogram.

Asveteranscontinuetoreturnhomefromactiveduty,Michiganwillcontinuetohonorveteranswhostrugglewithsubstanceabuse,mentalillness,andtraumathatleadtocriminalordestructivebehav-iorbyprovidingtreatment,veteranmentors,andothersupportsystemsthroughtreatmentcourts.

V E T E R A N S T R E ATM E N T CO U R T

SU CCE SS S TO R I E S

“Each month, I’d leave the program and my spirits were soaring, I was rising; I couldn’t even believe how good I felt afterwards. On graduation day, I felt like I could jump up and touch the stars.”—KevinHierVeteransTreatmentCourtGraduate

“After talking to the judges and everyone who worked there, I could definitely tell it was something they

cared about a lot. It wasn’t like being another number.”

-DavidBaconVeteransTreatmentCourtGraduate


ONLINE INFORMATIONAND SOCIAL MEDIA

ONE COURT OF JUSTICE WEBSITEcourts.mi.gov

facebook.com/misupremecourt

youtube.com/michigancourts

@misupremecourt

linkedin.com/company/michigan-supreme-court

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