An Outcome Study of Recidivism Rates of a Mental Health Court
[Thesis]
Strong, Shandi
Twyford, Jennifer M
California Lutheran University
2020
69
Psy.D.
California Lutheran University
2020
Mental Health Court is a specialty court that serves adults who have criminal histories and who also have mental illness by offering psychological services and strict court monitoring instead of jail time. This outcome study examined recidivism rates between participants in Mental Health Court and a Treatment as Usual (TAU) group three years post-program completion. The TAU comparison group in this study completed the traditional criminal justice avenues and court sanctions. The intervention group, those who were found eligible and suitable and followed all requirements of the program and graduated successfully. It was hypothesized that the participants who were found eligible and suitable would have reduced recidivism rates in comparison to those individuals who served jail sentences and did not receive court-ordered psychological services and resources. Results found that individuals who were found eligible and suitable did not have reduced recidivism rates three years post-program completion in comparison to those who completed TAU. In addition, when controlling for known correlates of recidivism, individuals who were found eligible and suitable three years post-program completion were not shown to have reduced recidivism rates in comparison to those who completed TAU. The results of this study contradict the growing body of literature and suggest that individuals who complete Mental Health Court do not have reduced recidivism rates in comparison to individuals who complete TAU, even when controlling for known correlates of recidivism including ethnicity, gender, and age. However, this study does support that previously being arrested is associated with higher recidivism rates. Discussion related to the findings is provided.