A program in Scott County is offering a different way to rehabilitate people with mental illnesses convicted of crimes. On Friday, Ken Croken, a candidate for the Scott County Board, held a news conference to discuss the effectiveness of the Scott County Mental Health Court, and to urge the county to fund it.
Croken says the current system of treating mentally-ill inmates is too expensive and ineffective. He says the county needs to switch to a system of community services that maintains mental wellness.
"If we follow that trail, we can help more, spend less, and remove the revolving door from the front of the courthouse."
Scott County Mental Health Court started two years ago, and its goal is to provide access to mental health treatment and other services to curb recidivism of mentally-ill offenders and reduce the prison population in the county. 29 people have participated so far, including 21-year-old Shawn Swanson of Davenport.
Swanson says the program was instrumental in turning his life around.
"Having employment and stuff like that I couldn't do without a lot of the help I received form the program. Because before, my symptoms would stop me from wanting to go out and do that. They give me the resources to be able to handle the symptoms and do what I need to do to be successful."
Croken says Mental Health Court has spent $100,000 so far, but saved $350,000 that would've been spent incarcerating the participants of the program. Currently funded by donations, the program is trying to raise more money so it can expand.