By Pepper Fisher

OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure last week that will soon offer an alternative to prison for people with a serious mental illness who commit a crime.

Under the new law, judges will have the option to sentence a person to community supervision and treatment in lieu of prison.

The program will be open to individuals who are convicted of a felony crime that is not a serious violent offense or a sex offense.

In order to qualify, the person would have to be willing to participate in the sentencing alternative, and the court would have to determine the individual would benefit from community-based supervision and treatment. The opinion of the person’s victim would also be considered.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden says it’s always helpful to have additional alternatives, and the new measure will come with added resources from the state.

“We know that there’s a lot of interest in the community related to Mental Health Court. In Superior Court we’ve had for a long time, sort of a robust approach to mental health issues, but it’s nice that we have another tool, I guess, another piece of the puzzle, to be able to meet the needs of the public. And it’s a State legislation, so there’s some benefits that come in terms of resources.”

The Department of Corrections would have to conduct a pre-sentence investigation. That investigation would include, among other things, the name and address of the person’s treatment providers, a proposed monitoring plan and any conditions of release back into the community.

If the person were to violate the conditions of the sentencing alternative, they could be sent to prison to serve their sentence.

The bill will take effect July 25.