PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer
Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us | 605.773.2031
Pennington County Mental Health Court to Hold Graduation
PIERRE, S.D.—Pennington County Mental Health Court will hold a graduation celebration on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 3 p.m. MDT in Courtroom C5 on the third floor of the Pennington County Courthouse, 315 St. Joseph St., Rapid City.
With their friends and family in attendance, participants who have gone through this intensive program and have successfully completed all phases will be honored. The event is open to the public, media and cameras. The ceremony will also be streamed live online at https://www.sd.net/UJSCourt2 for those who cannot attend in person.
Pennington County Mental Health Court was established in 2019 as an alternative to prison for justice-involved people dealing with substance use and mental health disorders, who are at a high likelihood to reoffend. For the last four years, Pennington County Mental Health Court has offered intensive supervision, treatment for substance use and mental health, support services, and community-based resources to improve the overall wellbeing of the participants involved in the program.
South Dakota Problem-Solving Courts are referred to as treatment courts and include veterans court, drug court, DUI court and mental health court. These courts have proven that a combination of supervision, treatment and support can lead people with substance use and/or mental health disorders into lives of stability, wellness and recovery. Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts/Default.aspx.
For more information about Pennington County Mental Health Court, contact Coordinator Sean Ireland at 605-394-2595 ext. 1345 or sean.ireland@ujs.state.sd.us.
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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.