Criminal justice system no place for mentally ill, John Howard Society says
John Howard Society recommends keeping more mentally ill patients out of jail
A report from the John Howard Society says many people with mental illness become caught in the criminal justice system for lack of community support and programming.
In Sudbury, executive director John Rimore said the province needs to fund more courts that are adapted to helping the mentally ill who commit minor crimes.
Providing more stable housing would also do a lot to prevent people from getting into trouble, he added.
"They are living in what we would call hovels. Places that have one window that's approximately one-foot-by-two foot in basement apartments, one room with a shared bathroom with four other people."
The fact Sudbury has one of those courts is "fantastic," Rimore said. "But there's no funding attached to it."
Groups like the Canadian Mental Health Association are helping to absorb those costs.
The funding is being put toward a positive outcome, said Andree Clavet, a Community Wellness Court outreach worker.
She said she has seen people get back on track simply because the court gives them more time, more understanding, and consistency.
Mental health patients "are more comfortable in sharing with the judge, saying, 'I'm doing really well on this new medication,' and the judge really interacts with them," Clavet said.
She estimated 100 people have gone through Sudbury's Community Wellness Court since it began in February of last year.
Provincially funded mental health court
A spokesperson with the Ministry of Attorney General said mental health courts have been formed in a number of jurisdictions across the province.
"The Sudbury mental health court was formed approximately two years ago and sits twice per month, dealing with cases involving both adults and youth," Brendan Crawley said.
The next sitting is scheduled for Aug. 21.
"Adult and youth mental health workers from the Canadian Mental Health Association attend mental health court at each sitting of this dedicated mental health court to assist accused persons with mental health needs and to link them to a wide range of services, from expedited forensic assessment to community service providers," Crawley continued.
Service providers, such as forensic psychiatrists, community nurses, mental health court workers or representatives from community agencies also attend the court at designated sitting times, he added.
"In this way, mental health courts have direct access and linkage to necessary services in the community and psychiatric hospitals."
The John Howard Society's report points out there are two- to three times the numbers of mentally ill in jail than in the general population.