MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont judges, prosecutors, lawmakers, and mental health experts are working together to help those who are mentally ill navigate the court system.
Thursday’s Second Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit at the Statehouse was spearheaded by the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts and is part of an ongoing effort to both prevent recidivism and clear a backlog of cases. It’s an approach Vermont Superior Court Judge John Pacht says he hopes will help bring greater compassion and accountability.
“To have someone who is able to be there, who has had lived experience and understands them without judgment, and can be with them in that time, is often the first step in creating an atmosphere of trust.,” he said.
Following last year’s summit, the Judiciary is further trying to find alternatives for offenders to prevent them from going further into the court system if there’s a better solution. “Trying to figure out a way to help those folks get an off-ramp to something that’s going to work for them and ultimately work for everybody. It’ll be better for the community, better for the person served, and a better use of resources,” said Scott Acus with the Commission on Mental Health in the Courts.
Officials say they have been working over the past year to address a massive competency hearing backlog and that was improved by recent legislation.
“Trying to get to those individuals who are committing those offenses, potentially provide them with pre-trial diversion so that we can assist them in meeting their goals before they commit new offenses, which some of them are repeatedly doing,” said Vermont Supreme Court Justice Karen Carroll.
Overall, the day was about coming together and identifying problems and possible solutions. A report by the commission is expected in the coming months.
Vermont Mental Health Commissioner Emily Hawes says these conversations are crucial. “Continuing that work, getting in front of the Legislature, I think, is so valuable to have all the branches talking and moving in the same direction. And you know, oftentimes we see things very differently, but we’re at the table, and we all want our communities to be doing better,” she said.