Proposing A MASH-UP

Of Problem Solving Courts & Probate Courts involved with involuntary supervision of coloradans with "Disabilities" In the criminal justice system

     We often use the Treatment Advocacy Center & the Mental Illness Policy Organization as representative of the epitome of CONSERVATIVE MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY.
      They have tried to destroy the Protection & Advocacy System for People with Disabilities due to the Advocacy System's perceived LIBERAL WAYS [BTW --We're NOT in favor of that]
       BUT we are IN FAVOR of the Treatment Advocacy Center's really CONSERVATIVE VIEWS that PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS ARE NOT THE ANSWER -- Treatment [including "Involuntary SUPERVISION" ] is the Answer without the THREAT OF PUNISHMENT.
        Most people in the Criminal Justice System are really dealing with how to manage a COMPLEX COGNITIVE DISABILITY, & OFTEN COMPLEX COGNITIVE DISABILITIES that the Society hasn't totally figured out -- not just a one time "intentional" BAD ACT.
        But as we ourselves have said --- sometimes we don't have great treatments -- sometimes we do.  It is ironically the Treatment Advocacy Center & the Mental Illness Policy Organization that were really some of the first to HONESTLY acknowledge this.
         We have to get away from PUNISHMENT -- but in many cases we are NOT going to be able to get away from a NEED FOR SUPERVISION.  Further, that SUPERVISION really is a form of TREATMENT and it MUST BE INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED to be effective --- it is both Protection for the Public and a form of Individualized Medicine.
           We've talked a lot about INCLUSION.  This TRANSITION from INCARCERATION to healthcare is going to be really, really hard for a lot of reasons.
            We are proposing that Criminal Prosecutors voices are structurally incorporated into INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT proceedings for Coloradans with Disabilities currently involved with the Criminal Justice System.
             Further, we may need such "involuntary" proceedings for people with BRAIN INJURY.
             We think all people in the Criminal Justice System should be screened for:
  • Brain Injury
  • Mental Illness
  • Developmental Disability [That includes NOT just people with lower IQs -- it also includes those many high IQ people with ADHD -- there's a reason why there are so many people with ADHD in criminal justice systems around the world -- BUT NOT MOST PEOPLE w/ ADHD]  [This century may bring a re-evaluation of what "intelligence" is and there may be a strong probability -- it's NOT what we think].
  •  Alcohol & Drug Issues

If one has one of these issues and one is involved in the Criminal Justice System --- we would ideally like to see a TEAM APPROACH, including a PEER EXPERT with lived experience of Invisible Disability & Criminal Justice Involvement.

We will need to WORK TOGETHER to determine the NEED for INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT and/or INDIVIDUALIZED SUPERVISION -- while having the COURAGE to voice our TRUTH & PERSPECTIVE.

We're NOT under any illusions that this would represent NIRVANA -- but we think it could be another important transition step from INCARCERATION to HEALTHCARE.

   
Ironically, we have less of a problem with "involuntary supervision" than we do "involuntary medication administration."

Psychiatric Medication is SO COMPLICATED and hurts some people and helps others -- that "involuntary" aspect seems quite fraught with peril when it comes to psychiatric medication.

It should be a great incentive for HONEST DISCUSSION.