Since 2010, Warren County has had an alternative for offenders who are the right fit — Treatment Court.

“Our program is about giving people a chance at being a productive citizen, a second chance at family, and really a second chance at just getting back to normal,” Treatment Court Supervisor Matt Gernold said.

The first treatment court in the state — an adult drug court in Philadelphia — opened in 1997.

The idea has grown over time.

Warren County Court of Common Pleas President Judge and Treatment Court Judge presents a certificate to Michael McWhirter for ‘phasing up’ in the Warren County Treatment Court program.

“The problem-solving court movement in the Commonwealth has expanded to include driving under the influence (DUI) courts, mental health courts, juvenile drug courts and veterans courts,” Gernold said. “In 2006, they were recognized by the state Supreme Court.”

“Treatment Courts focus on specific types of behaviors or conditions, often linked to crime and social problems,” Gernold said. “These behavioral problems, particularly drug addiction and untreated mental illness, have a major impact on the courts, jails and prisons.”

“The goal of problem-solving courts is to supervise the treatment and rehabilitation of carefully screened and selected defendants to try to change their behavior,” he said. “Instead of a sentence that would typically result in a state prison sentence, defendants are given things like counseling, treatment for their addictions or illnesses, educational assistance, healthcare support and intensive supervision by the probation department.”

Warren County’s Treatment Court started in 2010. After 10 years, it continues to help people.

“To be eligible to enter Treatment Court, the defendant must have a drug or alcohol addiction, have prior attempts at treatment, and have an offense that would allow for at least two years of supervision,” Gernold said.

Warren County Court of Common Pleas President Judge and Treatment Court Judge Maureen Skerda is presented a certificate of accreditation by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer during a 2016 ceremony.

“The applicant also goes thorough an in-person interview with the Treatment Team before being admitted.”

“Offenders charged with or convicted of violent offenses or sex offenses are excluded from participation,” he said.

Successful participants are typically in the program for about two years.

“That time can be extended if the defendant has any violations,” Gernold said. “Each participant goes though five phases during their time in the program. Phase 1 and 2 are 20 weeks and the defendants meet with probation twice a week, meet with the judge for a review once a week, and are randomly drug tested twice a week.”

“Phase 3 and 4 are 15 and 20 weeks respectively, and the defendants meet with probation once a week, meet with the judge bi-weekly, and are randomly drug tested once a week,” he said. “The final phase, Aftercare, is six months, and the defendants meet with the judge and probation monthly and are randomly tested as well. Once a defendant graduates from the program, they continue to be supervised by the probation department for the remainder of their sentence.”

“Since 2010, we have had over 70 people enter the Treatment Court Program and currently have 12 participants,” Gernold said. “In 2020 alone we have had seven individuals successfully gradate from the program.”

“In 2016 we applied and were approved for accreditation though the state,” Gernold said. “The accreditation process involved a lengthy application, a review of the policies and procedures, and an interview with the team members as well as some participants.”

“The objective of the accreditation process is to assess a problem solving court’s adherence to the Ten Key Components of Drug Courts, which are the nationally recognized framework for program operation,” he said. “Close adherence to these components has a direct correlation with program outcomes.”

The initial accreditation ran out. “This past year the program had to apply to be reaccredited,” Gernold said. That application was approved and the program was extended for three years.

The Warren County Treatment Court team includes: President Judge Maureen Skerda — Treatment Court Judge; Gernold; Mike Kitay — Chief Public Defender; Cody Brown — Assistant District Attorney; Mark Lehnen — Senior Deputy Sheriff; Aaron Gage — Deerfield Facility Director; Andrew Cauley — Family Services Director; Melissa Baxter — Human Services Case Management Supervisor; and Deena Penley — Human Services Case Manager.

The team gets together before the start of Treatment Court each Tuesday morning to review each participant’s progress, Gernold said.

“Due to the success of the Adult Treatment Court Program there have been discussions of implementing a Juvenile Drug Court Program though the juvenile probation department,” he said. “The hope is to apply and receive an implementation grant in 2021 to start the program in the future. There are currently only six juvenile drug courts in Pennsylvania.”

“I have really enjoyed my time working with the Treatment Court Program,” Gernold said. “It’s amazing to see how far someone comes from where they were when they start the program to where they are at graduation.”

“I have been lucky enough to work with the participants in our program since I took over as supervisor in 2015,” he said. “I’ve seen people at their low points, but more importantly, I’ve gotten to see them accomplish goals they once thought impossible.”

“One of the participants in our program told me a quote she had heard at a meeting one night that has stuck with me,” he said. “It goes, ‘there’s a reason why the windshield in a car is a lot bigger than the rear-view mirror — because it’s more important to focus on where you’re going than where you came from.’ It would be easy for our participants to focus on the mistakes they have made in the past, but every day they show courage to change their life for the better.”