On Friday October 20, 2023, several members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office attended the Mental Health Association’s (MHA) 5th Annual Legislative Breakfast at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, New Jersey. The goal of the MHA Breakfast is to raise awareness regarding mental health and addiction and to advocate for the importance of treatment and services for those dealing with these issues. Prosecutor Robert Carroll had the opportunity to address the attendees to emphasize the importance of the partnership between the law enforcement and mental health community and to reiterate the dedication the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has towards treating persons in the criminal system who are dealing with mental illness in a fair and just manner.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office works hand in hand with the MHA Collaborative Justice Services Program as part of the Prosecutor’s Mental Health and Veteran’s Diversion Program, which is directed towards managing criminal cases involving individuals with serious mental illness where there is a causal link between the defendant’s criminal conduct and their diagnosis. The goal of the Diversion Program is to work with appropriate individuals who agree to comply with supervised treatment, which will decrease recidivism, reduce the rate of incarceration for those with mental illness, and create wrap around supportive services and case management so that individuals may not only recover from mental illness but be successful in reintegrating into the community. Several members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Diversion Unit, along with personnel from the General Investigations and Domestic Violence Units attended with Prosecutor Carroll to support MHA’s programs and initiatives.
In addition to the partnership with the MHA Collaborative Justice Services Program, the Prosecutor’s Office collaborates with the Morris County Judiciary and Morris County Sheriff’s Office Community Connections and Hope Hub Programs to ensure proper treatment and case resolutions for those impacted by mental illness.
