Philadelphia Daily News

Mental-health court for re-entering prisoners ‘long overdue’

by Tom Clark
Philadelphia Daily News

City and state officials yesterday announced the launch of a special mental-health court that is intended to reduce recidivism by helping mentally ill prison inmates transition back to society.

Mayor Nutter praised the program as another in a long list of innovative and successful First Judicial District specialty courts, which also include Drug Court, DUI Court and the former Eagles Court at Veterans Stadium.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia opens Mental Health Court

by Joseph A. Slobodzian
Philadelphia Inquirer

When Philadelphia police shot and killed a homeless man brandishing a utility knife Friday in the concourse near City Hall, it had special meaning for state Supreme Court Justice Seamus P. McCaffery.

Twenty years ago, McCaffery told an audience of Philadelphia court and municipal officials, he was a police sergeant with the subway unit.

Philadelphia Tribune

Newly created mental health court begins Wednesday

by Larry Miller
Philadelphia Tribune

Acknowledging the high number of non-violent prison inmates in need of significant special treatment, Philadelphia’s First Judicial District Court has initiated a mental health court due to start this week.

The specialized court, which will see its first participants on July 8, is for defendants who are either awaiting sentencing or are cserving a sentence.

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