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Franklin County Touts Success Of Treatment Court As Alternative To Incarceration

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May 27, 2026

The Franklin County Commissioners joined Judge Jeremiah Zook, District Attorney Ian Brink and staff from the county’s adult probation department, court administration and Franklin/Fulton Drug & Alcohol in recognizing May as Treatment Court Month in Franklin County.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners and Shawn Meyers, president judge of the 39th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas, have recognized May 2026 as Treatment Court Month in Franklin County. In doing so, the commissioners and president judge are highlighting the vital role treatment courts play in promoting public safety, supporting recovery and fostering hope throughout America’s local communities.

Treatment courts are a successful, justice system intervention aimed at reducing crime by addressing substance use and mental health disorders. Data indicates there are more than 4,000 treatment courts across the U.S., and over 150,000 individuals are referred to these lifesaving treatment and recovery support services each year.

Franklin County is served by the Good Wolf Treatment Court, which began in April 2017 in response to the opioid epidemic and is overseen by Judge Jeremiah Zook. Designed for individuals whose involvement in the justice system is rooted in substance use disorders, the program offers defendants a supportive yet rigorous and challenging evidence-based alternative to incarceration, promoting sobriety, recovery, honesty and accountability. Good Wolf Treatment Court is a collaborative effort of the adult probation department, law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s and public defender’s offices, mental health services and treatment counselors who work to ensure participants receive accountability, structure and the clinical support necessary to sustain recovery.

To be eligible, individuals must first be screened and recommended by the Franklin County District Attorney. From there, they are required to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment by a clinical provider, accept responsibility for their criminal conduct, and agree to a sentence that may include jail time along with treatment.

Participants initially appear in treatment court every two weeks so their progress can be closely monitored. Community service is a condition of participation, and honesty and accountability are key components of the program. Participants can receive incentives or sanctions that coincide with their good or bad behaviors.

To date, 142 participants have entered Franklin County’s Good Wolf Treatment Court program; 48 have reached graduation, a testament to the program’s strict requirements as well as the challenges individuals face in recovery.

“The Good Wolf Treatment Court continues to prove that a combination of accountability, engagement, honesty, treatment and lifestyle changes can save lives while reducing the associated costs of prosecution and incarceration,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst.

For more information on the Franklin County Good Wolf Treatment Court, call 717-261-3848.