Justice and behavioral-health representatives tell Fulton County commissioners they have seen jail reductions after new co-responder program

Representatives from the justice system and behavioral-health providers briefed the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, describing recent collaboration between the courts and local mental-health services.

The group outlined recent initiatives, including the implementation of a mental-health-court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator, and said those efforts have increased deferrals to community-based treatment resources. According to the update presented to commissioners, the county’s blended funding approach—using County Mental Health resources together with grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency—has supported those services.

Meeting attendees reported a notable reduction in the number of individuals incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility and said the change has produced measurable cost savings for the county. The representatives identified next steps: mapping available resources to guide training efforts and exploring supported housing options for people diverted to community treatment.

The commissioners recorded the briefing in the minutes and noted that related committee and department meetings (Safety Committee; Department Head meeting) took place that morning; separate minutes are on file. The transcript does not attribute the specific claims about incarceration reductions to a named individual; the assertion was made by representatives from justice and behavioral-health providers during the Treasurer’s Office/partner update.