COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Isaiah Parker credits Idaho’s mental health court program with saving his life, and he’s not alone in that assessment.
Parker, a graduate of the mental health court program, struggled with addiction from a young age. “I’ve just kind of been an addict since I was about 12 years old. I was in and out of prison, in and out of jail nonstop. And, I have, bipolar and really bad anxiety and PTSD that I’ve never dealt with,” Parker said. “This program gave me the tools to show them and myself that my potential is far more than what I thought it was.”
Fellow graduate Trista Rowe shares a similar perspective on the program’s impact. “I’d be filed away or I’d be dead. Same as a lot of people. A lot of people just thrown out like the trash,” Rowe said.
The mental health court program serves as an alternative to prison for individuals with mental illness or addiction who have been convicted of felonies. While traditional incarceration provides accountability, graduates say it doesn’t equip people with the skills needed to improve their lives.
Mary Wolfinger, the mental health court coordinator, explained the comprehensive approach the program takes. “They receive individual mental health therapy as well as, substance use disorder therapy. They’re in a variety of group classes that helps them learn new skills, but also helps them take a look at their past behavior and how not to repeat it,” Wolfinger said.
The program has demonstrated measurable success since its inception in 2004. In North Idaho alone, 232 people have graduated from the mental health court program. A 2019 study revealed the program’s effectiveness in reducing repeat offenses, showing that only 34% of graduates re-commit crimes compared to 43% of people in a comparison group who went through traditional court processes.
However, the program faces significant budget challenges that threaten its effectiveness. Last fall, the Department of Health and Welfare eliminated peer support services due to budget cuts, removing what participants describe as a crucial component of the program.
Rowe, who worked as one of the peer support specialists after graduating from the program, emphasized the importance of this service. “My peer support picked me up. I don’t know what I would have done if there wasn’t someone there to usher me through,” she said.
Although mental health court has been able to restructure itself to maintain some specialist positions, peer support specialists are now operating as recovery coaches who can only support participants battling addiction, not those dealing solely with mental health issues. The proposed state budget threatens additional cuts that could further limit the program’s reach and effectiveness.
Wolfinger warned that these potential cuts would eliminate opportunities for participants to practice their newly learned skills in real-world settings. “Individual therapy is great. Classes are great. They are learning new skills. But the opportunity to practice those skills out in the community and everyday life is what would go away,” she said.
The concerns extend beyond individual participants to broader community benefits. Program coordinators argue that mental health court serves taxpayers and public safety interests more effectively than traditional incarceration.
“We are reducing recidivism and it’s cheaper to keep someone in the community than it is to house them in prison. So we’re saving taxpayer dollars and we’re also improving lives,” Wolfinger said.
The program’s supporters worry that budget cuts could undermine these community-wide benefits, potentially leading to higher recidivism rates and increased costs for the criminal justice system. As state budget discussions continue, the future of mental health court services remains uncertain, despite evidence of the program’s positive impact on participants and the broader community.
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