HARRISBURG, Pa. — Yesterday was a life changing day for the better for the first three graduates of the Dauphin County Mental Health Court.
A number of Dauphin County officials were on hand to celebrate the three women who graduated from the Mental Health Court.
Like other treatment court programs, it's designed to offer individualized treatment--instead of jail time--for those with serious mental illness.
"The courage from the graduates to be able to admit, they need help and to complete and go through a process if you're not inspired by that I need to check your pulse," George Hartwick, Dauphin County commissioner, said.
Officials say this specialty court saves incarceration costs by offering treatment in lieu of jail time.
The entire program takes a year to complete. Each participant must comply with the rules of his or her treatment plan, receive intensive supervision by Probation Services and have regular contact with the presiding judge.