The goal of the Bannock County Mental Health Court (BCMHC)
is to improve mental health, promote self sufficiency, reduce recidivism,
and offer cost effective alternatives to incarceration and hospitalization
for participants. The BCMHC provides community protection with an integrated
continuum of care through the development and utilization of community
resources. The BCMHC holds defendants accountable and assists offenders to
achieve long-term stability, become law-abiding citizens, and become
successful family/community members.
About Bannock County Mental Health Court
The Bannock County Mental Health Court program is a voluntary
post-conviction program for offenders who are mentally ill and have not been
successful in their compliance with treatment. The four-phase program consists
of intensive supervision of clients by a mental health professional, frequent
appearances before the BCMHC judge, mandatory mental health counseling, regular
attendance at cognitive change classes, and mental health substance treatment
and substance abuse testing.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in the BCMHC program, you
must:
·
Have the capacity to manage the structure of BCMHC: You must be able to
read, write & understand information given to you.
·
Must be eligible for ACT Team services: You must be diagnosed with
schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorders, severe mood
disorders, psychotic disorders, delusional disorders, and/or borderline
personality disorder and demonstrate 2 or more functional limitations.
Candidates will be screened for Mental Health eligibility by ACT Team staff and
exception may be made on a case by case basis.
·
Have a criminal history and be identified as having mental illness for which
treatment attempts have been unsuccessful.
You will be excluded from applying for the BCMHC program
if you are a “violent offender.” A “violent offender” is a person
who is currently charged with or has been convicted of an offense, during the
course of which offense or conduct:
A. The
person carried, possessed or used a firearm or dangerous weapon;
B. There
occurred the death of, or serious bodily injury to any person;
C. There
occurred the use of force against the person of another, without regard to
whether any of the circumstances described in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) is an
element of the offense or conduct of which or for which the person is charged or
convicted; or
D. Have
one or more prior convictions for a felony crime of violence involving the use
or attempted use of force against a person with the intent to cause death or
serious bodily harm.
You will be excluded from applying for the BCMHC program if:
You are currently charged with, have pled guilty to or been found guilty of a
felony in which you committed, attempted to commit, conspired to commit, or
intended to commit a sex offense.
