Mental Health Advisory Board to meet via Zoom

By Mike Steely

The Knox County Mental Health Court Advisory reviews the operations for the local mental health court.  It was designed to provide individualized treatment for adult defendants who have serious and persistent mental illness as an alternative to incarceration. The goals of the court are to improve the quality of life for participants, public safety, and public health as well as reduce incarceration, recidivism and corrections costs.

The advisory board meets Tuesday, July 9, at a 2 p.m. Zoom meeting to spotlight the Public Defender’s Community Law Office. Wright Surgenor, social services director, will address the meeting.

A Community Resources update will be presented by Sabrina Greene, court case manager of the Knox County Health Court.

Anyone wanting to view the meeting may apply on line to : https://knoxcounty.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqceGvqzMsGdX5L9EgXjGjOG2bSzzL_bDz

Board members include Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond, Attorney General Charme Allen, Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword, Criminal Sessions Judge Chuck Cerny, Public Defender Eric Lutton, and local attorney Jonathan Cooper.