HARRISBURG (Jan. 10, 2024) On Thursday morning (Jan. 11), Dauphin County’s innovative Mental Health Court held its very first graduation ceremony for three participants who successfully completed the program.

 Court of Common Pleas Judge Andrew Dowling, the program’s presiding judge; Commissioner George Hartwick, III; District Attorney Fran Chardo; and other county officials honored the graduates. 

Like other treatment courts locally and nationally, Mental Health Court is designed to offer individualized treatment, coupled with intensive community supervision, in lieu of incarceration to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness, which often occurs along with drug and alcohol dependence.  In turn, this specialty court saves incarceration costs by offering treatment in lieu of jail time.

As part of the program, 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.   

These participants faced great challenges but persisted and ultimately succeeded.