Every day, courtrooms across the United States are filled with individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. Without treatment to address the underlying cause of criminal behavior, many will continue to cycle in and out of the justice system, burdening law enforcement and at tremendous expense to taxpayers.
Treatment courts break this cycle by holding individuals accountable through a combination of treatment and rigorous supervision and returning them to the community as healthy, productive citizens.
Today, approximately 4,000 treatment courts across the nation are now considered the most successful justice intervention in our nation’s history, proving that when one person, family, and community rises, we all rise.
Kansas has 33 specialty courts serving 37 counties.
Ellis County Recovery Court, formerly Ellis County Drug Court, has helped justice involved individuals with substance use disorder since 2018, graduating 65 community members to date.
Approximately 65% of the U.S. prison population has a substance use disorder, and another 20% were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime.
The largest and most comprehensive multi-site study ever conducted on treatment courts found reductions in crime averaging 58% and savings of more than $6,000 for every individual served. Further benefits include improved education, employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification.
Ellis County and the surrounding communities are very fortunate to have this program available.
Treatment courts are our most effective approach to the devastation of addiction and justice involvement. Collaboration between corrections, court, treatment, mental health and law enforcement allow us to support those in addiction and help them manage their recovery while providing resources and tools for long term success. This leads to a stronger community of productive, law-abiding citizens.
This National Treatment Court Month, The Ellis County Recovery Court thanks the community for its continued support of our efforts to make a difference in Ellis County and the 23rd Judicial District.
Ellis County Recovery Court Team