When we think of crime and punishment, the court system plays a pivotal role in deciding how to apply the law from a punitive perspective. Diversion programs such as Drug Courts or Mental Health Courts in the United States exist across the globe in different shapes or forms, mostly focused on juvenile justice. In a robust post:

2a. Discuss how the U.S. approach to diversions is different and how it is similar of that from a country of your choice from the list in the Reading Materials. If you would like to look up another country, you can do so; please make sure to cite and list the reference and the relevant link/s.

2b. As a social worker, what would be three (3) social policy recommendations inspired from your analysis to either of the two countries you compared?

Bernard, C. L., Rao, I. J., Robison, K. K., & Brandeau, M. L. (2020). Health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of diversion programs for low-level drug offenders: A model-based analysis. PLoS Medicine, 17(10). Retrieved from ProQuest One Academic database in the Touro library.

Haskins, P.A. (2019, September 26). Problem-solving courts: Fighting crime by treating the offender. National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/problem-solving-courts-fighting-crime-treating-offender

California Courts. (n.d.). Mental health courts. The Judicial Branch of California. https://www.courts.ca.gov/5982.htm

Mental Health America. (n.d.). Mental health and criminal justice issues. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/mental-health-and-criminal-justice-issues

National Center for State Courts. (2020, May). The future is now: Decriminalization of mental illness [PDF]. NCSC. https://www.ncsc.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/41653/Future_is_Now_Final_rev.pdf

Please include in citations