Magistrates Court Diversion Program. Sue King Manager, Intervention Programs April 2011

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1 Magistrates Court Diversion Program Sue King Manager, Intervention Programs April 2011

2 Program Aims 1) Provide assistance to the court in the identification and management of defendants with mental impairment. 2) To prevent further offending behaviour by ensuring effective interventions and treatment that address the offending behaviour, and mental health or disability needs of defendants. 3) Provide an alternative to the CLCA part 8A defense in the Magistrates Court.

3 Background of MCDP Commenced1999 Diversion list at Adelaide Magistrates Court once a week Diversion list at other metropolitan courts once a month Diversion list at regional courts bimonthly Referrals come from defence lawyers via request at first hearing. Adjourned for assessment and re-listed for hearing in the Diversion list.

4 Locations

5 Resources & Staff Structure Manager Team Leader 2.8 Psychologists undertake assessment for eligibility 5 case managers implement intervention plan motivate and monitor compliance (social workers) 2 Administrative Officers

6 Program Information 6 month program 3 court appearances following acceptance hearing onto the program Program Statistics 09/10 No. of Referrals = 403 Males 68% Females = 32% M/F Indigenous = 5% No.of Participants Accepted = 218 No. of completions = 174 (80%)

7 Participant Profiles 80% of the program participants suffer from a mental illness and this profile has not changed over the past 11 years 5% have an intellectual disability. 4% suffer from brain injury, and 1% from a substance related brain disorder.

8 Primary Diagnosis Major Depressive Disorder = 28 % Schizophrenia = 10.6 % Personality Disorder = 14 % Post Traumatic Stress Disorder = 10 % Bipolar Disorder = 11.5 % Anxiety Disorder = 4.6 % Acquired/Organic Brain Dysfunction = 3 % Psychotic Disorder = 3 % Mood Disorder = 6 % Intellectual Disorder = 8 % Other = 1.3 %

9 Court Outcomes Magistrate Dismissal % No Conviction - No Penalty - 6% No Conviction - Bond - 0.9% Conviction Recorded - No Penalty - 2.3% Suspended Sentence % Bond - Unsupervised % Bond Supervised % Prison Sentence - 1.1% Fine % Return To General List - 3 %

10 March 2011 Statistics New Referrals: 44 Assessments - Offered 48 - Attended 39 No. accepted on to the Program: 24 No. active participants on the Program: 156 No. Removed/Withdrew from the Program: 4 Number of Clients completed MCDP : 15

11 CASE STUDY BACKGROUND 31 year old male Diagnoses: - Intellectual Disability - Major Depression - History of Substance Abuse (alcohol, amphetamine and cannabis) Offending: - Disorderly Behaviour / Assault Police (2) - Application For Enforcement Of A Breached Bond. Criminogenic Needs: - Intellectual Disability - Substance Abuse - Negative peer associations

12 BACKGROUND Non-criminogenic Needs: - Limited structured daily activities - Accommodation Responsivity Issues: - Intellectual Disability - Limited professional support - History of non-compliance with treatment and medication

13 Intervention Plan Service Provider Disability SA Psychologist Aim of Contact Ongoing contact for case management to address the following needs -Access to suitable housing -Assistance to develop daily independent living skills - Problem solving and planning skills -Counselling to assist with depression -Drug and alcohol abuse -Vocational issues/literacy/financial management as required. - Recreational activities Assist with depressive symptoms and criminogenic needs as required. General Practitioner Provide monitoring of physical and mental health, and referrals to other allied health professionals (e.g. psychiatric reviews)

14 1st COURT REVIEW HEARING Report Contact with Disability SA case manager - Sporadic contact, unstable, aggressive Referral from drug and alcohol counselling pending Has not seen GP - Not taking medication - Not referred for Mental Health Care Plan - No Psychiatric reviews organised Outcome Magistrate encouraged client to engage with Program Disability SA and improve his levels of participation Adjourned 2 months for Review

15 2nd COURT REVIEW HEARING Improved levels of contact with Disability SA. Client now actively participating with case worker at Disability SA. Case manager reported frequent contact. Assisting him with housing. Also referral for employment through Phoenix or Bedford Industries. Client has seen a GP Psychiatric Review pending. Has been prescribed antidepressants in the meantime. GP has also written Mental Health Care Plan. Psychologist - appointment pending as part of the Mental Health Plan Magistrate praised client s positive engagement and encouraged him to maintain levels of participation. Adjourned 2 months for Finalisation

16 Final Court Review Client has continued to engage with Disability SA. Attending drug and alcohol counselling appointments. Also starting employment soon. Has attended 3 sessions of psychological intervention. Compliance with medication. Mental Health stabilised. Criminogenic needs (drug use) in process of being addressed. Recommended successful completion of Program.

17 LEGAL OUTCOME 12 months Good Behaviour Bond with supervision Convicted of all charges - without penalty (Due to seriousness of offending)

18 Treatment Intervention Program Aims : To provide assistance to the court in the identification and management of improve the identification and management of defendants with mental health and/or substance dependence issues. To reduce offending To improve social functioning and health

19 Treatment Intervention Program The model incorporates: Holistic assessment of needs. Individual case plans and court supervision tailored to optimise outcomes Drug testing Referral for pharmacotherapy Referral for psychiatric and general medical care Brokerage to purchase services

20 Statistics for 10 months Separated according to primary diagnosis 1. Drug and alcohol dependent = 6 (14%) 2. Mental illness/impairment = 15 (35%) 3. Co- occuring m/h and aod = 22 (51%) Completion rates after 6 mths 1. Drug and alcohol dependent = 83.5% 2. Mental illness = 37.5% 3. Co- occuring m/h and aod = 33%