Cherokee Nation announces plans for treatment court during Mental Health Awareness

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced during a Mental Health Awareness Month event that the tribe will be implementing a discretionary mental health treatment court into its justice system.

The Cherokee Nation received a $1 million federal award from the U.S. Department of Justice that will be used to establish a judicially supervised treatment court on the Cherokee Nation Reservation, as an alternative to traditional forms of sentencing.

"Cherokee Nation citizens and those from other tribes who find themselves in our legal system may find that a more holistic approach to addressing substance abuse, with one-on-one interaction, surrounded by cultural activities, can be extremely healing and a better alternative that keeps them out of court and from reoffending," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

The Cherokee Nation currently operates a successful Veterans' Treatment Court, a similar Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court Program, and a reentry program.

"I'm proud that our Cherokee Nation citizens have a way to rebuild their lives with dignity, having their mental health cared for, substance abuse addressed, and access to any type of rehabilitation they need to reenter society with a fresh start, practicing Cherokee cultural values," Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said.

The Cherokee Nation is developing a multi-disciplinary mental health treatment court to reduce substance abuse for any tribal citizen who needs such resources. By treating high-risk justice-involved Native citizens with underlying mental health issues, the Cherokee Nation seeks to address the root cause of the crime with understanding, while promoting well-being.

The treatment court will use evidence-based risk-need assessments during the criminal justice process as part of a pre-plea model. Graduating systems of sanctions, incentives, compliance with rehabilitative programs, and continued recovery support services will also be implemented in the program.

In addition to opioid, stimulant, and other substance use reduction, the court will prioritize reduction of reoffense, rearrests, days spent incarcerated in county jails, and most importantly, the reduction of Natives with mental illnesses or disorders sentenced to prison.

"From the bench, I've seen that treatment courts and reentry programs improve public safety by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior," said Cherokee Nation District Judge T. Luke Barteaux. "When individuals with mental health challenges receive treatment, structure, and support, they are far more likely to become stable, productive members of the community and far less likely to return to the justice system."

The Cherokee Nation Coming Home reentry program under Career Services will work hand-in-hand with the treatment court to help participants overcome barriers created by their justice involvement, so they may successfully reintegrate after incarceration and promote healthy, positive interactions with family and communities.

Reentry services are on a case-by-case basis and can include assistance with ID attainment, counseling, health care, behavioral health, clothing, hygiene, housing, driver's license reinstatement, transportation, vocational training, career development, and other relevant services.

To learn more about the reentry program, contact Career Services at 918-453-5555. For questions about the tribe's mental health treatment courts, call 918-316-6117.