Abstract
Mental Health Courts (MHCs) are a type of treatment court created to divert offenders with mental illness away from incarceration and into community-based treatment. While research on the impact of MHCs on recidivism has produced mixed results, there is a need to determine whether MHCs are effective. In light of this need, and of public support for the balanced justice approach toward mentally ill offenders, this study aims to assess the impact of MHC participation on recidivism. As such, the current study is a systematic review and a meta-analysis which replicates a study conducted by Lowder and colleagues while incorporating modifications to the methodology to reflect the new Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to determine the effect of MHC participation on recidivism. Results from the 15 included studies show a significant reduction (42.46%) in recidivism for individuals who participated in MHC treatment program. Policy implications, in light of the MHC model’s reduction in recidivism and alignment with the ideals of balanced justice, are discussed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
