By Joseph A. Slobodzian
The Philadelphia Inquirer
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia court officials will announce this morning creation of a new special court to provide a post-prison supervision for convicted criminals with mental health problems.
The creation of the Mental Health Court will be outlined in a news conference this morning at the Criminal Justice Center by Common Pleas Court President Judge Pamela Dembe and Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, a Common Pleas Court supervising judge.
Among other city officials expected to attend the announcement are Mayor Nutter; District Attorney Lynne Abraham; Chief Public Defender Ellen T. Greenlee; and Arthur C. Evans, director of the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services.
Although facing a city budget crisis that yesterday led Mayor Nutter to announce a wage freeze forunion and nonunion civil service employees, court officials are expected to announce the new court will be started with a one-time state grant.
Untreated mental illness has been identified as a contributor to homelessness and repeat offenses by many people who initially enter the justice system through misdemeanors and minor crimes.
The Mental Health Court is expected to provide qualified candidates with supervised release, mental health care and help to successfully return to living in the community.
Copyright 2009 Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC