MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION PROGRAMS SECURE $1.3 MILLION TO EXPAND IN ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — The prosecutor’s offices of Atlantic and Cape May counties will jointly receive $1.3 million in grant funding to enhance mental health diversion programs aimed at defendants whose criminal behavior is driven by persistent mental illness.
Atlantic County launched its Mental Health Court program in 2023 to provide alternatives to incarceration for felony defendants with serious mental health conditions. The program offers eligible individuals supervised treatment in place of traditional prosecution, with the possibility of charge reductions or dismissals for those who comply with strict court-ordered requirements.
A 2024 state law has since broadened the availability of such diversion initiatives across New Jersey. The new funding will support vital services including mental health evaluations, treatment by qualified external providers, case management, as well as internal program infrastructure and community outreach efforts.
Officials emphasize that the program seeks to address the root causes of criminal behavior through comprehensive care while maintaining public safety and respecting victims’ rights. Successful coordination between prosecutors, the court system, and public defenders has been crucial to the program’s growth.
It is important to note that not all defendants or offense types qualify for diversion. Participants who fail to adhere to program terms face possible prosecution and incarceration.