County’s Mental Health Court Finding Success

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Though it hasn’t been operating long, the Anderson County Mental Health Court is already witnessing success stories that demonstrate the goal and mission of the organization to help non-violent offenders with mental health issues avoid prison.

“I have watched people’s entire lives change,” said long-time Judge Cordell Maddox who presides over the mental health court. “It’s one of the best things I have been involved in.”

The diversionary nine-to-12-month program gives participants who finish a chance to have all charges dismissed. The program began in May and has graduated one and three more are expected to graduate this week. Currently 11 are enrolled in the program and another seven are in various stages for acceptance in the court. Only those with misdemeanor, non-violent charges are eligible.

The intensive program, which serves Anderson County, requires drug tests, regular meetings with mental health counselors and a shot at a brighter future. Veterans in the program also have a mentor who often meets daily with a program participant.

Maddox doesn’t think most people realize how big the problem of mental illness is in Anderson County.

“I have volunteered at Hope Missions of the Upstate and have been shocked by how many mentally ill people there are out there who are under the radar,” said Maddox. “And I don’t think the community has any idea how mental health affects those who might commit small, non-violent crimes.”

When the new court program was proposed, Maddox said he immediately thought of one person with the unique combination of experience and understanding to take charge: Marlene McClain, who has served as Director of Victim Services at Anderson County Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years.

“The need for mental health services is being recognized more, people are not afraid to speak about it as they once were,” said McClain. “There is a high number (of those with mental illnesses who go) undiagnosed and are not on proper medication.”

McClain said one of the keys to the program is partnerships.

“Anderson Mental Health Center and Veterans Administration play an important role in what we do,” said McClain. “We have wonderful community partners. The Salvation Army has worked closely with us to provide housing since many who are mentally ill are homeless.”

She also praised the partnerships with Dave Phillips of Hope Missions, Upstate Warrior Solutions and Anderson County for helping make the program a success.

“Anderson County has really begun to have a focus on the problem of homelessness, and Rusty Burns has gone over and above in trying to work with these agencies on the front lines working with agencies dealing with the homeless,” she said.

The mental health court is funded by a $354,131 grant from the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, offered by the United States Department of Justice.

The primary goal of the Mental Health Court is to:

Divert Defendants: Transfer mentally ill individuals away from traditional criminal justice proceedings and into mental health treatment.

Enhance Public Safety: By ensuring that those with mental health issues receive proper care, the court aims to break the cycle of repeated arrests and incarceration.

Prioritize Treatment over Punishment: The program is not available for all offenses; it excludes felony charges and crimes involving minors, focusing instead on low-level offenses often linked to untreated mental health conditions.

Serve Veterans: Recognizing that veterans often face higher rates of mental health challenges, the program gives them preferential consideration.

Additionally, the court is part of a broader initiative that includes improvements in detention facilities. For example, Anderson County is also redesigning its now-under-construction detention center to include areas specifically for addressing inmates’ mental health needs.

Anderson County rates among the highest 25 percent in the among all U.S. counties with persons experiencing suicidal ideation (37.30 per 100K population) and in the top 50 percent among all U.S. counties for persons experiencing: Depression (35.14 per 100K), Trauma survival (70.70 per 100K), and Psychotic-Like Episodes (23.53 per 100K).

A significant number of defendants in the county’s detention system suffer from mental illness, with more than 400 individuals with clinically diagnosable mental health conditions passing through the detention center each year.