Orange County Grand Jury
• 2002-2003
Drug and Mental Health Court Support for the Criminal Offender
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
The support provided by Orange County departments and agencies contributes to the success of the Drug and Dual Diagnosis Programs. There is also a plan for a Mental Health Court Program that will require additional support.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Development of a public information plan to emphasize the importance and the success of the Orange County Specialty Courts and support to the public to obtain broader community awareness. (Finding 1)
F2
The funding reductions by the County for the support of the Orange County Specialty Courts during this period of budget reductions and increasing caseloads, will jeopardize their success.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Consider placing a higher priority on the allocation of Orange County funds to maintain the support for the Specialty Courts. (Finding 2)
F3
A need exists to support Mental Health cases involving adults with mental health conditions within the Criminal Justice System.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Consider taking immediate action to allocate County funding to include support for a program for adults with mental health conditions within the Criminal Justice System. (Finding 3) 8
F4
An Operational Agreement between County and Court does not exist for the planned Mental Health Court.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Prepare an Operational Agreement or its equivalent, for the planned Mental Health Court to establish the basis for needed department or agency support. (Finding 4)
F5
Available residential treatment care facilities (beds) to accommodate the Drug Court and Mental Health Court Operations are in short supply.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Develop a detailed plan to overcome the shortage of available ‘beds’ needed to accommodate and to provide treatment for the present and planned Specialty Court defendants. (Finding 5)
F6
A Chief of Operations within Behavioral Health Services is a critical need for coordinating Mental Health support throughout the Orange County Court system. Responses to Findings 1- 6 are required from the Board of Supervisors and the District Attorney. Responses to Findings 1- 6 are requested from the County Executive Officer, the Orange County Public Defender, the Probation Department, and the Health Care Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Consider filling the vacant position of Chief of Operations in the Behavioral Health Services. (Finding 6) Responses to Recommendations 1-6 are required from the Board of Supervisors and District Attorney based upon Findings 1-6. Responses to Recommendations 1-6 are requested from the County Executive Officer, the Orange County Public Defender, the Probation Department and the Health Care Agency based upon Findings 1-6. Endnotes 1 Success of Drug Courts in Orange County California: Process and Outcome Evaluations ; Final Report Executive Summary for OC Superior Courts: by Elizabeth P. Deschenes, Ph. D. etal. Issued July 27,2001 2 1996-1997 Orange County Grand Jury: Management Audit of the Orange County District Attorney, prepared by the Grand Jury in conjunction with Price Waterhouse and issued June 30, 1997. San Bernardino County Mental Health Court Packet received October 25, 2002. San Bernardino County Sheriff Representative during presentation at San Bernardino Jail Facilities, November 13, 2002. Judge from San Bernardino County Speaking on Mental Health Courts Satellite Broadcast of November 14, 2002. Riverside County Department of Health Care Memorandum of Understanding Dated November 9,
Agency Responses 2
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.