Public forum to address Fayette treatment court
Fayette County’s treatment court program will be the topic of the next “CSI: Fayette County-Crime Subjects Investigated” forum.
The forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, in Room 112 of the Eberly Building’s corporate training center.
The treatment court program is for people with mental illness coupled with substance abuse who have been arrested.
If admitted, they enter an intensive treatment program that addresses their mental health and other needs instead of serving prison time.
“It’s not the get out of jail free card most people think,” said Lisa Ferris-Kusniar, chief executive officer at Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration which administers the programs.
The defendants who go through treatment court are sentenced and must comply with program recommendations and report to a judge monthly to check on their progress, said Clinton Anderson of BHA.
The ultimate goal, he said, is to address the problems instead of leaving people who have mental illness in prison without giving them help to become productive members of society.
The class is class is being sponsored by HeraldStandard.com, in conjunction with Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
It is the latest in an ongoing series of public forums exploring different issues associated with courts and crime in the county.
Last year, HeraldStandard.com and Penn State Fayette partnered with police and law enforcement officials from across the county to host six public workshops titled “CSI: Fayette County — Crime Subjects Investigated.” Previous forums have explored topics like regional police, juries, drugs and juvenile crime.
“We’re very proud to present another in a series of CSI forums. We feel we’re providing a valuable community service,” said Val Laub, publisher of HeraldStandard.com. “We think the previous forums have been interesting and educational, and we think this forum will give county residents another opportunity to gain some insights into the crime problem here in Fayette County.”
“We’re very pleased that the Behavioral Health Adminstration has agreed to take part in the forum,” said Mark O’Keefe, executive editor of HeraldStandard.com. “We couldn’t do these forums without the help of various local officals, so we’re grateful for their cooperation.”
“The forum, which is free and open to the public, is divided into two parts. Members of the panel will discuss the topic in the first hour. Then, in the second hour, members of the audience can ask questions and interact with members of the panel. Members of the panel will include law enforcement, defense and prosecuting attorneys, representatives from Penn State, Anderson and other officials involved with the program.
The treatment court encompasses non-violent offenses, and adults who do not have substantial criminal records, Anderson said. Because their “sentences” are served in the community, through treatment programs and other requirements, Anderson said those who come through the court are carefully monitored to ensure they comply with the requirements.
He said the point of the program is to treat problems and hopefully reduce the rate of reoffending.
Ferris-Kusniar said there is a careful screening process to make certain that participants truly have a mental illness and are not just trying to avoid doing a prison sentence.