Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson has long been intrigued by the psychology behind criminal behavior.
“You can look at the people that come through the court,” Patterson said. “What brings them here?”
Patterson oversees the Hamilton County Mental Health Court, a program designed for individuals with severe and persistent mental health issues who have pleaded guilty to nonviolent crimes. This program offers a recovery-based alternative to jail or prison.
The traditional criminal justice system targets individuals who prey on others, but not everyone fits that mold, Patterson noted. Law enforcement may intervene when someone is having a mental health episode in a family member’s basement or causing a disturbance at a local Walmart.
“These individuals often just need medication and therapy,” Patterson said, highlighting that many lack access to services and family support.
A Program Designed for a Vulnerable Population
Established in 2015, the Mental Health Court was created to address this specific group. In Hamilton County, mental health remains a significant issue within the criminal justice system.
“The sheriff often says that he runs the largest mental health institution in Hamilton County, meaning the jail,” Patterson said.
Brian Bush, general counsel for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, estimates that 60% of those arrested or incarcerated have a diagnosed mental illness, suicidal or homicidal ideation, or other mental health issues.
Although there is currently no data on the program’s success rate, the aim of the accountability court is to reduce jail pressure and transform participants into productive members of society, explained Rebekah Bohannon, Hamilton County Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
“Mental illness does not absolve you from the law,” Bohannon said. “However, being in jail isn’t necessarily a psychiatric facility either.”
Connecting Participants to Essential Resources
Eligibility for the Mental Health Court requires a lengthy history of mental illness, supported by medical records. Participants are then connected to community resources, including substance abuse treatment, housing, medication management, and career support.
Schizophrenic men in their 20s are the most represented group in the program, Patterson said.
While some critics oppose rehabilitation over incarceration, Patterson emphasized that such views are rare among informed individuals.
“I think one of the stigmas that Mental Health Court has had to overcome is the belief that abnormally violent, psychotic criminals are given probation,” he said. “That’s not true.”
Anna Protano-Biggs, president and CEO of the AIM Center, a Chattanooga nonprofit for adults with serious mental illness, noted that many do not receive necessary care until it’s a crisis. The AIM Center takes referrals from Mental Health Court.
“There has been a real push to improve the quality of and access to mental health care in Hamilton County, and there is undoubtedly room for improvement,” Protano-Biggs said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth over the years. Many agencies now understand that the best support for the community comes when we work together.”
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