Evaluation of the Brooklyn Mental Health Court

Evaluation of the Brooklyn Mental Health Court
June 2002

Consultant: Colleen Gillespie, Ph.D. Principal Investigators: Michale Rempel, Ph.D., Carol Fisler, J.D., Center for Court Innovation (CCI)

PROJECT GOALS

An evaluation of the Brooklyn Mental Health Court is being designed – an alternative to incarceration court for persons with severe mental disorder currently being implemented by the Center for Court Innovation. Dr. Gillespie will provide consultation on the evaluation as the Court takes shape.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS

Evaluation methodology will evolve based on collaborations with CCI and the court model that has taken shape.

In addition, Dr. Gillespie will collect qualitative, formative evaluation data to help define and refine the model of the mental health court and address original research questions that include:

What are the underlying theories of the court model?
What is distinct about the court as opposed to traditional case processing, assisted outpatient commitment procedures, ad hoc arrangements?
What motivations drive the various participants –detainees/research subjects, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, service providers – to take part in the court’s proceedings?
What are the various participants’ expectations of how and why the court will “work”?
How does the court use its authority?
Are there ways in which that authority gets used for therapeutic purposes?
Are there aspects of treatment plans that serve judicial/criminal justice functions?
How do judges and other court personnel make calculations about public safety and risk?
What sources of information and resources do they draw upon?
How do they feel about the certainty of these kinds of calculations?

SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS/ POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Rigorous evaluations are required prior to endorsement of more widespread use of these courts.

PLANS

Research methodology is being planned.

Entered: 09/23/2002