Sedgwick County is creating a new court program for veterans in the criminal justice system. A Veterans Treatment Court will be created with the help of a grant provided through the Kansas Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration.
Lori Gibbs with the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections said the program will offer eligible veterans with felony convictions the option of serving their time in a treatment program instead of prison. She said the program recognizes the issues that veterans have with untreated mental health conditions and addiction. She said the mission of the program is to enhance public safety while restoring the dignity and accountability for veterans in the criminal justice system.
The grant will fund two positions to implement and administer the treatment court. All clients will be screened to determine if they are eligible for the program.
The grant will run through July, 2025, but Gibbs said the county will be looking to make the program a permanent feature of the county justice system.
