Tuscaloosa Works to Create a Mental Health Court

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – Tuscaloosa is working to establish a mental health court inside the city’s municipal court.  Mayor Walt Maddox, on Friday, said such a court would help people with mental health needs get the treatment and help they need instead of jail time.

Maddox recently appointed five people to a committee to provide recommendations that would help set up the court. Maddox says a mental health court is similar to diversion programs that work with first-time offenders. The mayor says he wants the committee to present recommendations on the court before the end of the year. He hopes to have it operating by early 2022.

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