May is National Treatment Court Month

May is National Treatment Court Month!

Treatment courts serve as an effective alternative to incarceration for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. This month is a celebration of the lives transformed, communities made safe, and tax dollars saved

There are more than 4,000 treatment courts in the United States, annually serving more than 150,000 people. These programs are the foundation of the U.S. justice reform movement, giving rise to other incarceration alternatives, diversion programs, sentencing and adolescent justice reforms, and more. These programs prove it is possible to repair lives, reunite families, reduce drug use and crime, and to do so at far less cost than jail or prison.

The Berks County program recently became certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC). In an interview with 69 News, County Commissioner Chair Christian Y. Leinbach explained that Berks County was one of the first counties to go through this process, adding:

“There is a very strict process that determines who’s eligible for treatment court and who is not, but there’s a benefit to society; there’s a benefit to the taxpayer when we can divert people from jail and deal with their issues through the treatment court process. And the idea is that with the programming, their issues are hopefully dealt with, and we don’t see them.”

Our most recent graduation was held on May 7 and recognized over 30 individuals who have successfully completed DUI, Drug, Mental Health & Veterans Treatment Court programs.

Click here to learn about the success rate of Berks Treatment Courts or to donate to the Friends of Berks Treatment Courts.

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