JACKSON, MI — The Jackson County Mental Health Court is back four years after funding and staffing for the program ran dry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 18 approved a $103,286 grant from the State Court Administrator’s Office, paving the way for the court to again return to full operations.

“Our brothers and sisters here in the community are suffering from mental illness and there is no good reason for them to be in jail or the criminal justice system while we have a means to try and help them,” said Jackson County District Judge Robert Gaecke, who is presiding over the court.

Word of the court reopening has spread like wildfire in the jail as people hope for admission, he said.

Two defendants have been enrolled in the program in the few

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