WASHINGTON COUNTY - A specialty court in Washington County, Tennessee is saving taxpayers money. A mental health court will soon mark 10 years of service.
This criminal prosecution alternative program has also saved dozens of people from going to jail.
News 5 learned the mental health court started with two people, Judge James Nidiffer and Deborah France. It is very unique in Tennessee and now serves model for others.
If all members of the mental health court agree including the judge, the district attorney, the public defender and police, all prosecution is suspended in favor of a mental health treatment plan.
Judge James Nidiffer, said, "We've had some success, great success I think, in helping these individuals not be criminalized just because of their mental illness, it's not fair."
It all started because Nidiffer saw one woman who he thought shouldn't have been arrested.
"I thought this lady needed some program of some sorts to help her with her mental health issues so that wouldn't happen again or something else wouldn't escalate,” said Nidiffer.
He and others then decided to create the mental health court, which has since won a state community service award.
"It gives an option for those individuals that again, don't need to be in the criminal justice system," Washington County Mental Health Court Coordinator Deborah France said.
France has served as the coordinator for the court since the beginning. She told News 5 that 57 people have graduated from the program.
"It makes us feel good and we still get calls from other parts of the state that are looking to start their own mental health court,” France said.
Nidiffer says the biggest question he gets is, “How do you fund it?” The answer is, it’s free.
He and other members volunteer their time which is what makes it different from other mental health courts. The year-long program is voluntary for participants as well.
If they don't comply they will be back to face the music in sessions court. That happens to about 30 percent of participants.
Court officials said there are only five other mental health courts in Tennessee but more counties are looking into implementing such programs.
