By Ari Bloomekatz
Enquirer staff writer

Nick Staigl listens as Constance Powell reads from Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book during their graduation from the Hamilton County Mental Health Court. The Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

Nearly a year ago, some offenders got the first opportunity to be supervised by Hamilton County's new mental health court instead of going to jail.

Although some participants initially had doubts about their possibilities of success, three people who became the court's first graduates Thursday say they have turned their lives around.

"I'm totally changed," said Nick Staigl, 24, after receiving his certificate of achievement.

"I'm stable with my medicines, with my doctors. I don't drink anymore. I don't get in trouble."

The mental health court, which began in March 2003, was designed to help people with mental illnesses who committed minor offenses such as disorderly conduct, trespassing and theft.

The Hamilton County program, one of about 12 mental health courts nationwide, is treating about 20 clients.

ELIGIBILITY

Legal criteria: Charge must be a misdemeanor, a nonviolent offense; and the person cannot have a history of violent offenses. Mental health criteria: Person must have schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder that is recurrent. Defendants must be: competent to stand trial, have the ability to understand and participate in treatment programs, and be willing to plead guilty to the charge. Program length: Up to one year. Charges will be erased from defendants' records after they graduate. Source: Hamilton County Mental Health Court

The program is funded by a tax levy passed by county residents in 2002 that was directed to the Community Mental Health Board, and by grants from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.

Four years ago, Indianapolis offered the first such program.

Mental health courts also operate in Fairfield and Akron.

Instead of going to jail, the court monitors treatment of the offenders.

Community organizations such as the Talbert House and Crossroads are called on to assist.

"This is a different way of doing court," said Judge Karla Grady, one of two judges who preside over the mental health court.

Unlike a regular courtroom where offenders pass in and out quickly, Grady said the mental health court is more personal. She has frequent interactions with the offenders.

"We get involved in their struggles," said Judge Elizabeth Mattingly, the other judge who presides over the court. "These people, with appropriate help, can lead really productive lives."

One of the court's objectives is to make sure people who are offenders because of a mental illness are treated so they do not re-enter the system.

Before the court began last year, Patrick Tribbe, chief executive of the Hamilton County Community Mental Health Board, said police spent much of their time rearresting offenders with mental illnesses - a waste of police time and taxpayer money.

"We've (now) created an environment where individuals can change their lives," Tribbe said Thursday.

Only two of the three program graduates attended Thursday's ceremony, but the courtroom was filled with families, friends, lawyers and community members excited to see the court's progress.

"I've been through several treatments (before this one). When I got out, I used again," said graduate Constance Powell, 42. "This is the longest I've been clean in 20 years."

Powell said she decided to enter the mental health court because she didn't want to go to jail for a year. During graduation, Powell read part of a chapter about addictions and cravings from a publication by Alcoholics Anonymous. She said it's a chapter she read daily for three months to help her succeed in the program.

Program organizers said they would like to see the mental health court expand and eventually include people accused of more serious offenses.

E-mail abloomekatz@enquirer.com