Nine graduates of the San Bernardino County Superior Court’s rehabilitative programs were honored May 17 at the annual Collaborative Treatment Court Celebration.
The graduates’ families and justice partners were among those who attended, along with local legislators.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Laura Martinez, Treatment Court coordinator, and opening remarks by Presiding Judge John P. Vander Feer, followed by presentation of the Judge Morris Award for 2019, to retired judge Pat Morris for his establishment of treatment courts in San Bernardino County.
Assembly Member Eloise Reyes, representing the 47th Assembly District, addressed the graduates and spoke about the positive impacts of the collaborative treatment courts, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
This year’s justice partner honorees, recognized by Commissioner Ronald J. Gilbert, are John Mayor, Public Defender’s Office; Michelle Bergey, District Attorney’s Office; Gheiza Rosales, Probation Department; and Eric Butterfield, Department of Behavioral Health.
During the program, speakers noted that the focus of the collaborative programs is to treat people as human, according to the press release. One graduate said that the celebration was the first time she was referred to as “honoree” and not “inmate number.” Several other graduates said the programs saved their lives and they are now attending college, employed and had been reunited with their families and children.
“Hearing from past graduates was an impactful reminder that collaborative courts make a true difference in the lives of all those impacted, including the community,” Vander Feer said in the press release.
Collaborative justice courts, also known as problem-solving courts, are intended to reduce addiction, crime and recidivism while saving taxpayer dollars. California has more than 420 collaborative justice courts, with San Bernardino having five court types — Adult Drug Court, Juvenile Delinquency Drug Court, Adult Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court and Shelter Court. More than 120 people have completed one of the rehabilitative programs since 2018, according to the press release.
