Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh -

This study examines how mental health courts (MHCs) affect the rate of recidivism in comparison with traditional sentencing by conducting a meta-analysis on academic literature about MHCs. Analyzing 17 studies about MHCs, the findings suggest that MHCs are somewhat effective in reducing recidivism compared to traditional courts, but are most effective serving as a form of harm reduction for potential future offenses. More research needs to be done on the methods of improving MHCs for participants, rather than its overall effectiveness.

Evan B. Lowder is a Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University. Candalyn B. Rade is a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg. Sarah L. Desmarais is a Professor in the Applied Social and Community Psychology Program at North Carolina State University.

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^{Keywords: Mental illness, mental health courts, recidivism, meta-analysis, synthetic study, literature, academic literature, MHC, effectiveness, traditional sentencing}