New Hudson County Program Will Keep Suspects With Mental Health Challenges Out Of Jail

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Hudson County is accepting applications for a newly formed Mental Health Diversion Program, an effort to redirect some people accused of crimes away from jail and into community-based treatment.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced the program Thursday.

To participate, individuals facing certain charges must submit an application to the prosecutor’s office indicating they suffer from a mental health condition.

According to the announcement, a member of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from a mental health professional, will review each application to determine eligibility.

Once accepted, the individual will receive counseling, referrals, and other individualized treatment plans intended to help deter further criminal actions.

The grant will fund evaluations by licensed mental health professionals, individual treatment plans and various services offered through the county of Hudson.

“Promoting public safety is at the forefront of what we do at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and we cannot fully deter crime if we are not addressing the very issues that lead an individual to offend,” said Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello. “The Mental Health Diversion Program is a new opportunity to connect individuals with treatment and other community-based resources that aim to reduce recidivism.”

The program was created by the prosecutor’s office in collaboration with the County of Hudson, the Superior Court of New Jersey – Hudson Vicinage, the Office of the Public Defender for Hudson County, and the private defense bar.

Hudson County’s program was created with grant funding from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

“Through this partnership, we can establish earlier interventions so that individuals with mental health issues are connected with the help and services they need to reduce the potential for future involvement in the justice system,” said the Hudson County Superior Court Judge David Katz.

“In New Jersey, we are taking innovative steps to build safer communities. Hudson County’s commendable efforts are changing lives,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.

Copies of the application and more information about the program can be found here.