Hon. Donald Zuidmulder reads a certificate, before presenting it to Elizabeth Love. Love is one of two recent graduates of Brown County Mental Health Court. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Brown County’s Treatment Courts program is celebrating a milestone. For 15 years, instead of sending non-violent offenders to jail or prison, Brown County has worked to help get people back on the right path.
It was an emotional day in a Brown County courtroom for Elizabeth Love and Christopher Littleberry.
“I feel free. I feel light. I feel proud of myself which is a really foreign feeling for me,” said Love.
Littleberry added, “I want to thank the court for giving me back my hope, my integrity, my self worth.”
The two are the most recent graduates of Brown County’s Mental Health Court.
According to Brown County Judge Donald Zuidmulder, “The court exists, only because, the elected officials in Brown County, the county executive and the county board support these programs.”
Mental Health Court is just one of seven alternative treatment court programs which have evolved in Brown County in the past 15 years.
It started with the first Drug Court hearing in July of 2009 and now also includes Heroin/Opioid Court, Veterans Court, Family Recovery Court, OWI Court, and Young Adult Court.
“You would think more progressive states in the United States would have a much more aggressive approach to criminal justice reform, and right here in Brown County, greater Green Bay, we actually have the most alternative courts in the United States,” said County Executive Troy Streckenbach.
Since its inception, 695 people have graduated from one of Brown County’s seven treatment courts. For every dollar spent on a treatment court program, as determined by a state cost analysis, there’s a nearly $5 return.
But for everyone involved in the program including those who participate and those who administer it, the investment is about so much more.
Streckenbach said, “You really can’t put a price on what does it mean to have this individual in the workforce, contributing to the community, being part of their family, caring for their children, all of those aspects that you can’t really put a price tag to.”
And with the recidivism rate of those involved in the program, 30% less than those not, it’s a concept that have proven itself to work.
In addition to the nearly 700 who have graduated from drug court programs in Brown County, there are currently another 800 enlisted.
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