Arizona publishes statewide best-practices guide for competency restoration programs
The guide, produced by the committee's Competency Practices Workgroup with input from practitioners and treatment and correctional-health staff, defines four roles for restoration programs: a clinical liaison, a restoration specialist, a mental health expert and an RTC psychiatrist. It sets minimum qualifications, including at least five years of relevant experience for restoration specialists.
On service delivery, it calls for at least two sessions a week of 45 to 60 minutes, with groups as the preferred format (no more than eight defendants), regular in-person contact, and telehealth permitted alongside it. The document says Arizona was also taking part in a national working team with the National Center for State Courts and the Council of State Governments.
Because Arizona restores many defendants in county jail programs, a statewide standard for how those programs are staffed and run is a notable step. The guide contains no Arizona wait-time or caseload data.
Source: Developing Best Practices in Restoration to Competency Programs — Arizona Supreme Court, by Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Mental Health and the Justice System
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