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| Program helps troubled offenders turn lives around |
| By kjonline.com - Staff Writer |
| Published: 10/31/2011 |
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AUGUSTA ME -- Most defendants in court normally don't get to hug the judge. But such rejoicing was the order of the day recently when seven former defendants with mental illness and substance abuse problems graduated from a special court program designed to help them succeed in life and avoid further criminal trouble. "The time has come for rehabilitation to transcend punishment," Justice Nancy Mills told them and more than 100 people gathered to recognize their achievement last week. The graduates and a handful of others won hugs from Mills, who wore a print dress for the festive occasion rather than the traditional black judicial robe. Nichole Rogers, 30, formerly of North Anson and now of Augusta, won a big round of applause and a special "Congratulations, girlfriend!" from Mills. Rogers described herself as "a woman 2 1/2 years in recovery" who at one time "couldn't remain sober for 24 hours to enter a detox program." She said the road to self-destruction began when she was 17. Rogers said she went to a doctor for pain management and ended up addicted to Oxycontin. The addiction drove her to crime, and she was convicted of burglary and violated probation five times. "I was powerless," she said. "My morals and values slowly diminished." Judicial innovation Mills met Rogers at the Somerset County jail when Rogers first entered the specialty court program, known formally as the Co-Occurring Disorders Court. By then Rogers had been divorced, evicted and her car had been repossessed, so she had no transportation to get to the court program, which holds mandatory Monday meetings. The court is essentially a team of social service providers connecting participants with housing, medication and other treatment, including an intensive outpatient program and a program of behavioral therapy. The goal is to reduce punishment and increase development of skills for paticipants to function better in society, including regulating emotions and tolerating stressful situations. Applicants are screened to ensure they fit the court's criteria, and part of the regimen includes meeting every Monday with the judge. Read More. |
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