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April 2024 | Edited by Aisha Jamil

INSIDE: Fourth Annual JPLI Leadership Summit Registration; Judges' Guide to Mental Illnesses in the Courtroom; and more. 

The Latest

Excellence in Action

Judge Wes Curry

Judge Stephen S. Goss Award 

Dr. Jennifer Piel

Judge Stephen S. Goss Award

Judge Marcia Hirsch

 Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Terry Kupers

 Lifetime Achievement Award

Judge Stephen S. Goss collaboration award

Dr. Judith Edersheim

Judge Nancy Gertner 

Dr. Robert Kinscherff

Take Action

In our last newsletter, we polled subscribers to learn whether many of you are using a method or practice in the courtroom to recognize if a person has a behavioral health concern. We received 34 responses of “yes, I use a method or practice to identify a behavioral health concern.” This is a great start!  

To continue to support these types of practices, here are three tips from one of our previously published resources.  

Tips for leading change in your court: 

• Introduce yourself to the director of your local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter or the director of your local mental health authority to learn more about the services available to people with behavioral health needs in your community or state.  
• Position this handy bench card in an easy-to-see place. 
• Walk around your courtroom to see what the physical space looks like for a defendant. Creating an environment that considers a person’s mental health and trauma history as they appear in court can help to reduce any negative impacts on proceedings.  

To learn more, visit: Judges’ Guide to Mental Illnesses in the Courtroom.  

Publications, Resources, and Support

National Center for State Courts Navigating Leadership Webinar Series

The National Center for State Courts is hosting an 8-session webinar series for court staff of all experience levels to learn about leadership topics. Webinars are held on the second Wednesday of each month, April through November, and registration is required. The May session, "A Productive Pair," is scheduled for May 8, 2024.

Wičhóyaŋke Network Releases 'Strengthening Indigenous Communities' Infographic

The MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, the Wičhóyaŋke Network, and the Justice Management Institute have released a new infographic identifying challenges and disparities that affect American Indian and Alaska Natives in the criminal justice system. It also details how Native communities are building models to prevent and reduce justice involvement and support people through culturally responsive programs. 

The All Rise National Treatment Court Month Toolkit

The new All Rise toolkit provides resources, guidance, sample forms, and more to help develop and sustain successful treatment courts.

Upcoming JPLI Trainings

Judicial Work at the Interface of Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health

Summer Seminar for the New York Judicial Institute 

June 25, 2024

Judge Marcia Hirsch, Judge Juan Merchan, and Dr. Merrill Rotter will provide a 90-minute JPLI training as part of the mental health programming for the Judicial Institute. The training is open to all New York judges from all types of courts (including civil, criminal, housing, family, specialty, etc.).

The Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative is a partnership of the CSG Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, funded by Janssen Charitable Contributions to create a community of judges and psychiatrists, increase the reach of trainings, and develop educational resources.