SPRINGFIELD – Springfield’s only treatment court to be solely focused on those who commit crimes within city limits, the Springfield Municipal Adult Rehabilitation and Treatment (SMART) Court, now has just over a dozen people enrolled.
There are eight women and six men, aged 22-51, who were deemed to be at significant risk for committing new crimes or not completing less intensive dispositions. Many also have high social service needs – such as trauma, unstable housing or unsafe living situations, and less than a 12th grade education – which put them at risk for recidivism.
The goal with SMART Court is for recidivism rates to decline by addressing the root issues and causes that lead to these people committing crimes. This treatment court differs from standard courts because it has increased supervision, trained team members, and mandatory treatment.
Court program coordinator Erin Selvey said anyone who owns a business, pays taxes, or drives the streets in Springfield benefits from the SMART Court, not just the 14 people enrolled. According to All Rise, “not only is the treatment court approach effective and humane, but it also saves considerable money for taxpayers. Research shows that treatment courts produce benefits of $6,208 per participant and return up to $27 for every $1 invested.”
SMART Court’s first cohort is expected to graduate in about 14 months.
