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New Private Mental Health Defenders Office in Lubbock

By Kristin Houle

KCBD, NewsChannel 11 in Lubbock reports that officials in Lubbock County have received funding for a new program aimed at diverting offenders with mental illness from jail and providing them with quality legal representation ("New Program Addresses Lubbock County Inmate Mental Health," July 10, 2008). While both Travis and Bexar Counties provide public mental health defenders to those who have committed misdemeanor offenses, Lubbock's Private Mental Health Defenders office will be the first of its kind in Texas. The program will use county funds to pay a nonprofit organization to oversee cases defended by private attorneysHere's the full story:"Efforts are underway in Lubbock County to save taxpayers money and increase public safety. A $400,000 state grant will help Lubbock County open a Private Mental Health Defenders office...continue to full post

Full post as published by Prevention Not Punishment on July 15, 2008 (boomark / email).