Wichita ? A new program in Sedgwick County is promoting treatment rather than jail time for mentally ill people who are arrested for minor crimes.

The four-month-old program, called the Sedgwick County Offender Assessment Program, or SCOAP, is a transitional program that allows people to slowly return to the community.

About 160 people have been screened since the program began in August. About 60 are enrolled and seven have successfully completed the program, which takes an average of 90 days. The idea is to help the participants quickly become integrated in the community.

“These are not people who are public safety risks, which is why they belong in treatment rather than jail,” said Marilyn Cook, executive director of Comcare, the county’s mental health agency.

Most of the people served by the program suffer from depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. They often find themselves in jail for minor offenses such as trespassing, and a large percentage of those treated suffer from substance abuse problems.

Jason Scheck, a county mental health official, said offenders are often optimistic for recovery when they are released from jail. He calls it “the glow.” But Scheck said most will fail if they do not have outside support.

Case managers provide it. They are often the first people to meet offenders once they leave the jail, and over the next several months, help the individuals make appointments for treatment, apply for benefits and obtain housing.

They also encourage clients to regularly take their medications.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Gary Steed said it is too early to tell whether the program will ease the burden of overpopulated jails. But he said it has the potential to deliver long-term benefits, including fewer arrests and better mental health service.