HOT SPRINGS — Two Garland County District Court judges, who have successfully established special courts for defendants with drug and alcohol problems, as well as special hearings
for veterans who have run into
trouble with the law in the coun
ty, are now looking to establish
special procedures for criminal
defendants who may have men
tal-health issues.
Garland Division 2 District
Court Judge Ralph Ohm said on
March 15 that health care providersin the county are working with court officials in developing what he called a “comprehensive treatment plan” for county residents who come before the court and might have mental-health issues.
Garland Division 1 District Court Judge David Switzer told the Tri-Lakes Edition in Februarythat both judges believe some criminal behavior they learn about in court is symptomatic of mental and emotional issues that could be addressed by new court programs like the DWI and veterans courts.
“We see it all,” Switzer said. “We have noticed that we have a lot of people suffering from mental illness. We hope to find aid for these people through our courts.”
Ohm said he and Switzer have been meeting with mental-health-care providers from around the county since February and are trying to bring together what he called disconnected services provided in the county.
“Having a more united local system will better serve defendants needing help,” he said. “That is the group we are focusing on.”
Ohm said he agreed with Switzer that there are those in jail or facing their day in court who have mentalhealth problems.
“I’m pretty excited about what’s going on here,” Ohm said. “Something good is happening, and everyone seems amenable to seeing ifwe can formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.”
Switzer and Ohm have met with officials with Community Counseling Services in Hot Springs and said they will also meet with hospitals in Hot Springs and some other mental-health service providers, Ohm said, on hopes of establishing procedures to direct those who are brought to the courts to services.
“Judge Switzer and I realize we don’t understand how all this will work,” he said, “but we are learning.”
Switzer said he wants to offer aid for those with mental-health issues in his court, but each new program that is developed is a unique experiment.
“Not everything will work,” he said, “but we can see what works and keep those things that lower the recidivism rate. That will mean real success.”
Staff writer Wayne Bryan can be reached at (501) 244-4460 or wbryan@arkansasonline.com.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 134 on 03/25/2012