YORK COUNTY, S.C. — York County recently opened a new mental health court.
Officials said jail isn't always the answer for those who have a mental illness.
Our partners at the Rock Hill Herald spoke with court officials who said they created the mental health court to help people with mental illnesses who commit crimes and have trouble staying on medicine.
Offenders will be treated at a mental health center for three years, but they must be at least 18 years old, plead guilty and complete three years of counseling and court monitoring.
"This is an effort to break the cycle for this segment of our population that offends and reoffends,” said Kevin Brackett, 16th Circuit solicitor.