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Public Domain Drug Court Software: Functions and Utility

NCJ Number
197258
Date Published
February 2003
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This report presents a predominantly large nontechnical description of four jurisdictions located in the United States utilizing public domain automated management information systems (MISs) and surveys a range of information useful for supporting drug courts.
Abstract
Within drug court programs, an automated management information system (MIS) typically supports operational and administrative activities of some, if not all, of the individual drug court team members and their collaborative efforts. This report, supported under a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, describes features and capabilities of MISs developed, as of 1999 and include: (1) City of Buffalo, NY, Drug Court; (2) Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; (3) Center for Court Innovation (for the Brooklyn, NY, Treatment Court); and (4) South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The systems described in this report represent a sampling of public domain MISs focusing on drug courts or associated treatment services. The report discusses and reviews five areas within each MIS and its respective jurisdiction: (1) acquisition requirements and costs; (2) contact information; (3) basic system elements; (4) system description; and (5) ongoing development. Through this review jurisdictions contemplating the establishment of a drug court or debating their automation options gain insight into the kinds and scope of information that drug courts need to support their day-to-day operations and evaluation efforts. All the systems reviewed have demonstrated usefulness in the drug court environment. Appendices 1-4