Woodiest and Melton: For 25 years, city treatment court has focused on alternatives to punishment | Other Opinions
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A local courtroom is probably not the kind of place that the average person associates with life-changing moments of celebration, rounds of applause, and tears of joy. But you might be surprised to learn that is precisely what has been happening for decades right here in St. Louis.
This month, the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court’s treatment court program celebrates its 25th anniversary. Founded on April 7, 1997, it is one of the longest-running treatment court programs in the state, and was recently honored by the Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals for its years of distinguished service, commitment to excellence, and many other accomplishments. None of which would have been made possible without contributions and leadership over the years from various judges and commissioners, including James R. Dowd, James Sullivan, Michael Noble, Barbara Peebles and Elizabeth Hogan.
Today, the city’s treatment court program is overseen by the two of us, Rochelle Woodiest and Matt Melton who, as commissioners, lead a multidisciplinary team of court professionals who works collaboratively with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, social workers, case managers, probation officers, service providers, and other subject matter experts. The mission is one that closely resembles the very premise of why treatment court programs began to pop up across the country more than 30 years ago.
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These are innovative, specialized court dockets designed for nonviolent adult criminal offenders, juvenile offenders and parents with pending child-welfare cases who have demonstrated histories of mental health issues and/or drug and alcohol dependency and related crime. Instead of continually punishing these individuals trapped in the merciless grasp of addiction or mental illness, why not leverage available resources to offer them evidence-based treatment and an opportunity to be a productive member of society?
That is exactly what our treatment court has been doing for hundreds, if not thousands, of our fellow residents since its inception. Through a holistic approach, we divert these individuals from the traditional (and costly) incarceration model of the criminal justice system by providing judicial oversight, intense supervision and accountability, and connecting them to tools and support to rebuild their lives and be successful in their recovery.
Services include mental health treatment, educational and vocational training, housing assistance, medical referrals, and life-skills training — all while remaining completely abstinent from drugs and alcohol and adhering to a rigorous court-imposed and personalized treatment plan.
In other words, we’re addressing the root cause of actions and behavior with compassion and empathy in order to save lives, reunite families, and make our community safer.
For instance, treatment court clients may include a veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Or a single mom with a substance abuse disorder who turned to shoplifting to support her addiction. Or a high school dropout and drug user staring at years in prison for repeat offenses who, through treatment court, is able to get a GED and land a full-time job with no additional criminal history.
These are just some of the countless personal stories that show the power of the potential and success of treatment court programs, like ours in St. Louis, and their graduates. In fact, according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, treatment court is the single most successful intervention in our nation’s history for leading people with addiction or mental health disorders out of the criminal justice system and toward richer, fuller, and more stable lives. And in the process, they’re able to earn a living, pay taxes, support their families, continue their education, secure housing and reduce the need for foster care while allowing law enforcement to focus on violent criminals. Some will even have their criminal cases completely dismissed. This benefits everyone.
And in the face of an unrelenting opioid epidemic and continuing challenges with public safety, it further proves that treatment court is, and must continue to be, part of the solution for St. Louis and its most high-risk, vulnerable residents. Though they might not be able to go back and make a brand-new start, resources and services exist for them to start right now along a new path.
Rochelle Woodiest and Matt Melton are commissioners for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court who lead the Treatment Court program.
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