This report presents results from a study examining outcomes for participants of the King County District Court Regional Mental Health court. The therapeutic court aims to reduce recidivism and improve community safety by facilitating behavioral health treatment for individuals with a mental disorder who are involved in the criminal justice system. Over a one year period, the mental health court significantly improved outcomes for participants across multiple domains. Mental health court participants had significantly lower rates of re-offending and psychiatric hospitalization, and fewer incarceration days and emergency department visits, relative to a matched comparison group.
