The Winnipeg Mental Health Court: Preliminary Findings on Program Implementation and Criminal Justice Outcomes
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
8 May 2017
Abstract
Mental health courts (MHC) are still relatively new in Canada and there is a dearth of research available regarding program structure and outcomes. This article presents preliminary evaluation findings on the operation of the new Winnipeg MHC program, launched in 2012. In addition to profiling the demographic, legal, and mental health backgrounds of program participants, we use a pretest- post-test design to compare rates of criminal justice involvement (N = 35). Participation in the MHC appeared to reduce justice system contact, supporting at least initial optimism about program efficacy. Greater inclusion of minorities was an area targeted for improvement. Study findings provide partial support for further development and implementation of mental health courts in Canada.
Résumé
Les tribunaux pour les personnes ayant des troubles mentaux sont assez récents au Canada, et peu de recherches ont été menées sur leur structure aussi bien que sur les résultats qu’ils permettent d’obtenir. Dans cet article, les auteurs présentent les résultats préliminaires de l’évaluation du fonctionnement du nouveau tribunal pour les personnes ayant des troubles mentaux créé en 2012 à Winnipeg. En plus de décrire les personnes qui y ont recours sur le plan démographique et juridique et en matière de santé mentale, les auteurs utilisent un modèle pré-test-post-test pour comparer les taux de recours de ces personnes au système de justice pénale (N=35). Les résultats montrent que les tribunaux pour les personnes ayant des troubles mentaux semblent réduire le recours au système judiciaire, ce qui, à tout le moins, confirmerait leur efficacité souhaitée. Une plus grande inclusion des minorités serait toutefois un point à améliorer. Ces résultats offrent des éléments intéressants pour la mise en place de futurs tribunaux pour les personnes ayant des troubles mentaux au Canada.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 36 • Number 1 • May 2017
Pages: 67 - 82
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Version of record online: 8 May 2017
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Joshua Watts and Michael Weinrath. 2017. The Winnipeg Mental Health Court: Preliminary Findings on Program Implementation and Criminal Justice Outcomes. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
36(1): 67-82. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2017-005
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