Therapeutic Docket in Virginia

1. Running Head: THERAPEUTIC DOCKET FOR OFFENDERS, STILL BECOMING IN VIRGINA Current Event “Therapeutic Docket”: still becoming in Virginia Jacob R. Stotler March 29, 2018

2. THERAPEUTIC DOCKET FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, STILL BECOMING IN VIRGINIA 2 “Therapeutic Docket” for criminal offenders, still becoming in Virginia. Charlottesville, Virginia (Albemarle County) reported to be in the process of building and introducing a bill of “treatment”, regarding mental health just yesterday. During interviews with the news anchors, a common law Attorney Robert Tracci described the mental health situation in the county as a very complex problem. The bill is said to consist of a few elements that favor the treatment and remedial access for people with mental health disorders. Common law Attorney Robert Tracci describes that the bill will assist not only the offenders, but also the bill will assist in saving the county money for incarceration expenses, the bill also aggrandizes the safety of the county. The bill consists of giving nonviolent misdemeanor offenders, that present a mental health issue, a mandatory time of incarceration, though through the infirmary of the local mental health facility “Region ten”. (Freedman, 2018) The goal was said of the bill “to give mentally ill people an alternative to incarceration in the county jail”. At discharge from the infirmary, the county may drop all charges. This bill alone would diminish the need for any insanity plea, though strictly regarding non-violent misdemeanor crimes. The funding for the program is hoped to be matched by the city, as the county has reserved $60,000.00 for the program to begin this year. (Freedman, 2018) This bill and event are relevant to Psychology of Law 4730-40 because of the vulnerability of the justice system to mental health, and the facts of mental health issues ongoing throughout the justice system. The action and leadership of the criminal justice system was

3. THERAPEUTIC DOCKET FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, STILL BECOMING IN VIRGINIA 3 described in numerous events throughout class. In each event and during the week of studying mental health and insanity pleas, there seemed to be a large discrepancy between national justice and the current systems throughout the nation, regarding mental health. During the mental health and law material of the class, I began to worry, “maybe there is no accounting for mental health issues in the criminal justice system altogether nowadays”. There were numerous lessons throughout the modules that named several cases that mental health was a definite and relevant factor to the case, but the judicial system adjudicating the case, refused or blindly ruled without reference or concern of the mental health disorder(s) involved. I quickly learned that the aspect of mental health and attempting to rear people with mental health disorders to the proper treatments and facilities, was a rare occurrence. This article / the bill, I understood as a great movement and a great achievement. Virginia taking on this action, may begin or instigate many other needed adjustments in the criminal justice system. While the bill has not passed yet, and the idea of incarcerating every single individual that proceeds in the courts with a sign, or a full blown mental illness is extreme, the intent is needed. I have understood this bill as a near breakthrough for the justice system, the court systems, and the communities throughout the nation. This is a breakthrough because of the need to properly administrate people with mental health disorders. The system now (without this bill), may continually exacerbate conditions for some people. The system now, may dissemble that conditions do not exist in some cases where mental health issues or defenses are raised. From the course materials, I thought to have been exposed to material that pronounced that the justice system needed, and still currently needs dire help with the accepted understanding and practices

4. THERAPEUTIC DOCKET FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, STILL BECOMING IN VIRGINIA 4 of mental health and the mentally ill. This article is the refulgence on possible solutions to mental health issues within the judicial system.

5. THERAPEUTIC DOCKET FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, STILL BECOMING IN VIRGINIA 5 Resources Freedman, E. (2018, March 28). Program to Help Convicted People with Mental Health Disabilities Moves Forward. NBC 29 News, Charlottesville, Virginia. Retireved March 29, 2018 from http://www.nbc29.com/story/37831654/program-to-help-convicted- people-with-mental-health-disabilities-moves-forward .