Oxford County Community Treatment Court Enjoys a Successful First Year

Sunday, 21 June 2015 10:41

A partnership has been formed to provide an alternative route for criminal offenders

OXFORD COUNTY - The Oxford County Community Treatment Court has had a successful first year providing a different route for offenders in the criminal justice system.

CTC is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association of Oxford and Crown. It provides a different alternative for offenders who are struggling with mental health issues. In the past year they handled over 10 cases in Oxford, and is an accountable justice system while at the same time sensitive to the reality that 1 in 5 Canadians will confront a mental health challenge in their lifetime. Director of Community Support and Recovery Programs Pat Baigent tells Heart FM about some of the offenders who would use the CTC system. "So it could be somebody with a developmental delay, somebody has a diagnosis or a suspected diagnosis of a mental illness and it is thought by the court system they could benefit from a different approach, so maybe a bit more of a treatment approach, they still have their charges, but they would go through the community treatment court and we would be assigned a recovery support worker and a recovery support plan through the CMHA."

Baigent says the first year was not without challenges and they need to find a way to get more resources and increase public awareness. The CTC needs increased localized treatment options for clients, including a designated therapeutic resource that would advance clients' needs assessments. Having access to psychiatric and psychological resources for clients is another crucial step going forward.

Shirley Hanlon is the Chair of the Board of Directors for CMHA Oxford "As a resident of Oxford County I am so proud to know that various service providers have made this happen for our community, without waiting for funding. From my perspective as Chair of the CMHA Oxford, I am intensely proud of our staff team that support CTC and other Court Programs. It is time however, to begin the discussions with all involved about how this vital therapeutic service can be sustained. Stable funding will be required."