Predictors of Mental Health Court Program Compliance and Rearrest in Brooklyn, New York

Abstract

Mental health court graduation, in-program jail sanctions, and rearrest were tracked for 654 participants enrolled from 2002 through 2010. Jail sanctions were more likely for younger participants and those who had a prior history of arrest or incarceration, who were arraigned on property charges, and who were currently unemployed. Failure rates were higher for homeless participants and those with a prior history of incarceration. Being younger, having a prior arrest, and having a co-occurring substance use disorder predicted two-year rearrest. Exploratory analyses suggested that certain diagnoses might moderate the impact of prior arrest record on program compliance.