More than $18.5 million granted to Michigan problem-solving courts

The Michigan Supreme Court recently announced that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has awarded more than $18.5 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2024 to problem-solving court (PSC) programs statewide, including drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts. Data have consistently shown that these specialized programs contribute to less repeat crime, lower unemployment rates, and improved quality of life of graduates.

“Problem-solving courts are all about people—people who help participants day in and day out, people who ultimately get a second chance at a successful life,” said Justice Kyra H. Bolden, who serves as the MSC liaison to PSCs. “But these judges, court staff, and participants could not possibly make a difference or find success without the vital funds we are able to secure through state and federal grant programs every year. We are deeply grateful for this continued support of our courts and, most importantly, the people they serve.”

PSC grant totals and recipients by court type:

• Drug Courts—$12,207,227  
• Mental Health Courts—$5,174,140
• Veterans Treatment Courts—$1,123,268  

Some of the key findings in the FY 2022 PSC Annual Report include:

• Graduates of adult drug court programs were, on average, more than 3 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program.

• Sobriety court graduates who used an ignition interlock device were nearly 5 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission.

• Unemployment dropped by 88 percent for adult drug court graduates, 86 percent for sobriety court graduates, and 85 percent for hybrid court (drug/sobriety) graduates.

• On average, mental health court (MHC) graduates—adult and juvenile—were nearly 2 times less likely to commit another crime within three years of admission to a program.

• Unemployment among adult circuit MHC graduates dropped by 81 percent.

• Average 99 percent improvement in mental health and 95 percent quality of life improvement.

• Graduates of veterans treatment courts (VTCs) were nearly 2 times less likely to reoffend within three years of admission to a program.

• Unemployment dropped by 88 percent among VTC graduates.

• Michigan remains a national leader with 28 VTCs.

Problem-solving courts are nontraditional programs that focus on nonviolent offenders whose underlying issues, such as a substance use disorder or mental health diagnosis, have contributed to recurring involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition to funding, SCAO also provides these courts with operational support and resources, state certification, and training.