Judge Susan Hawk’s ATLAS Mental Health Divert Court shows 70% percent reduction in new arrests

Judge Susan Hawk’s ATLAS Mental Health Divert Court: University of North Texas Study shows 70% percent reduction in new arrests for habitual mentally ill offenders.

The rate of mental illness in the criminal justice system is three times higher than in the general population and they are twice as likely to fail on probation as non-mentally ill offenders. Recognizing the magnitude of this problem Judge Susan Hawk, who presides over the 291st Criminal al District Court, created the ATLAS Mental Health Divert Court for habitual felony offenders and it is the first of its kind in Texas. Aside from her regular judicial duties, this program only exists due to Judge Hawk’s relentless efforts with grants provided by the State of Texas and is not jurisdictional with the Court.

A recent study just completed by Dr. Richard Rogers and Chelsea Fiduccia from the University of North Texas showed that Judge Hawk’s felony mental health court reduced new arrests for the court’s participants by 70% and reduced overall recidivism (re-incarceration in state jail or prison) by over 67% relative to mentally ill felony offenders with comparable backgrounds and risk levels who did not participate in the program. Judge Hawk’s court has provided mentally ill offenders, their families, and the community a path to stop the revolving door of mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system. Even better, the court has increased public safety by reducing new arrests rates and saving the tax payers millions of dollars in incarceration costs. Since its inception, Judge Hawk’s mental health court has served over 400 participants resulting in a savings of $5,123,470 in incarceration costs.