Six people are currently participating in the program, and two have completed the program. To qualify, you must have been diagnosed with a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or a co-occurring disorder such as a mental illness or substance use disorder. Applicants must reside in Aiken County, understand the terms and conditions, have committed a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony, consent to Aiken Barnwell Mental Health services, and plead guilty. there is.
If you win in mental health court, your record could be expunged.
“Our position is not only to support them with mental health services, but also to support them with community resources to prevent them from reoffending and reduce recidivism,” Hodge said.
Galam said that about two years ago, some state laws related to rehabilitation changed to allow detainees to treat detainees with mental health issues.
Garam said that when an offender is in prison and has mental health issues, they undergo a competency evaluation and, if found incompetent, are referred by a general court judge to a recovery program. He said he would be ordered to participate.
Before the law, recovery could only be done at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health in Columbia. The law now allows these restoration efforts to take place anywhere.
“That repair can be done anywhere, even in a jail,” he said.
Mr Gallum said the detention center had begun considering its options and Mr Hodge had received training to provide restorative services to inmates.
“We’re almost up and running right now,” he said
Dr. Kelly Gossard, director of forensic medicine for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, said the goal is to support people who are dealing with mental illness and help get them to a place where they can get back on their feet.
She said the program saved 1,000 beds and helped people get the services they needed when they couldn’t get treatment. She said it would also bring closure to the victims.
