Program targets violent crime

Saskatchewan is investing approximately $360,000 for the Justice Mental Health Community Support Program - the first of its kind in Canada.

"The Community Support Program is an innovative approach of supervision and rehabilitation designed to assist offenders with chronic mental illness," Minister responsible for Corrections and Policing Christine Tell said. "This
is an important component of the Serious Violent Offender Initiative this government committed to in 2011."

The province is partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Saskatchewan for the program, which will provide direct and coordinated services for offenders with a history of serious violent offending and mental disorders.

"We are very pleased to be part of this important and innovative program," CMHA Saskatchewan Division executive director Dave Nelson said. "Our association has long advocated for better services for those offenders who have mental health and mental illness issues to deal with. This program is a real step forward on this issue."