Date of Award

Summer 2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

It is estimated that 16% of adults in state prisons, and 17% in jails have a serious mental illness (Council of State Governments, 2012, p. 6). Considering severely mentally ill inmates have an 80% chance of returning ("Incarcerated Mentally Ill", n.d.), some communities have chosen to find a way to reduce that rate of recidivism. In Monterey County, that way may be the adult criminal mental health court, Creating New Choices (CNC). A review of relevant literature has identified courts of its kind as effective in doing so, and in order to determine if CNC does reduce recidivism rates key informants were interviewed: Monterey County Superior Court Judges: the Honorable Russell Scott, the Honorable Sam Lavorato, Jr., the Honorable Albert Maldonado; Deputy Probation Officer Leonel Oliveira; Behavioral Health Program Manager Lynn Maddock and Behavioral Health Social Worker Manuela Reyes. Surveys were emailed to personnel from counties of similar size to Monterey County: Placer, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Solano, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara. Data from Monterey County Health Department and a public justice related website was collected on number of participants in CNC including program completion status and criminal charges received post-entry to the program. The results of this study have shown quantitatively as well as experientially that the purpose of the mental health court in Monterey County is being fulfilled. The rate of recidivism of the mentally ill offenders (MIO) is lower than the state average for both CNC participants and graduates, and this success is likely attributed to the combinations of services offered as well as the collaborations among Monterey County Probation, Superior Court and Behavioral Health. Recommendations include expanding the program to reach more mentally ill offenders and implementing a better tracking system, so data is readily available. Future research should include looking at "best practices" as well as interviewing clients and their caregivers for first-hand accounts of what works and what does not in the program. This information is also useful for the program collaborators; Probation, Court and Behavioral Health, to see the usefulness of the program as well as validation for the front-line staff that their hard work with the clients is paying off.

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