In 2004 The Alaska Court System established the Palmer Coordinated Resources Project to address the unique needs of misdemeanor offenders with mental health disorders. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the Alaska Court System provided funding for this project. The Coordinated Resources Project (CRP) is a voluntary "therapeutic" or problem-solving" court located within the Palmer District Court that hears cases involving individuals diagnosed with mental disabilities who are charged with misdemeanor offenses and focuses on their treatment and rehabilitation.
The court works to divert non-violent offenders with mental disorders away from jail and into appropriate community treatment. The court focuses mainly on the therapeutic needs of the defendant. Mentally disordered defendants who adhere to treatment requirements cycle through jails and psychiatric hospitals far less than those who do not.
To be eligible the defendant must: (1) be charged with a misdemeanor crime and not on any type of felony probation, (2) experience a significant mental disorder and is a beneficiary of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, (3) be eligible for treatment for his/her particular disorder(s) in the community, (4) reside and receive services in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and (5) agree to voluntarily participate in the treatment oriented court process in lieu of traditional district court criminal case processing.
Any one can refer a person to the CRP. Police, correctional staff, lawyers, friends, family members, community behavioral health providers, judges and court staff can refer a case by simply contacting the Project Coordinator and indicating that a Defendant may be eligible to have their cases heard in the CRP
The Court diverts low level misdemeanor offenders with mental disabilities from jail and into appropriate community treatment, focusing on the individual therapeutic needs of the defendant.
Collaboration:
The Project involves a team of designated and
specially trained judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and a case coordinator
who consistently participate in court hearings.
Community Treatment:
The defendant is eligible to receive assistance
from the project in developing coordinating and monitoring an individualize
community treatment plan. The court orders the plan as conditions of bail or
probation. The coordination and monitoring of community treatment plans is provided
by the Department of Corrections CRP Case Coordinator.
Monitoring by the Court:
The court, through regularly held status
hearings, monitors the defendant's treatment plan. During status hearings, the
court hears reports on the defendant's progress in treatment. If treatment non-compliances
occur, the court may adjust the plan to motivate compliance or employ non-jail-based
sanctions or incarceration for non-compliance.
The PCRP meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. in the Palmer Courthouse. Judge Greg Heath presides.
Court is open to the public. Specialized tours and training are available by contacting the Project Coordinator at 907 746-8142 or by e mail at khull@courts.state.ak.us
If you are interested in observing court, please call to confirm that court in being held on its regularly scheduled day. The number to call is 907 746-8142.
Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs publication: Emerging Judicial Strategies for the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Caseload: Mental Health Courts in Fort Lauderdale, Seattle, San Bernadino and Anchorage.
| Rev. 21 November 2007 © Alaska Court System www.courts.alaska.gov |
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