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Review of Drug Court Effectiveness

NCJ Number
199420
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 19 Issue: 70 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 11-16
Author(s)
Robert A. Shearer; Yeok-Il Cho
Date Published
February 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the research that has examined the effectiveness of drug courts.
Abstract
Therapeutic jurisprudence has been the drug court movement's theoretical foundation. It focuses on the socio-psychological way in which the legal system affects people. It also provides a tool for a new and distinct understanding of the law and its applications. Under the regimen of most drug courts, nonviolent drug offenders are required to complete a prescribed course of treatment, accompanied by the court's regular monitoring of treatment progress. If the offender does not comply with treatment mandates, traditional sentencing measures are applied. Successful completion of treatment results in no criminal record of the offense. The intent of the drug court is to achieve rehabilitation that effectively reduces recidivism for drug-related crimes. Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of drug courts over the past decade. A review of these studies shows some interesting and somewhat conflicting results. This article reviews eight of the most recent and sophisticated studies. Several studies have shown promising results when the arrest and incarceration rates for drug courts were examined. Some studies, however, have had limited designs, and some have found negative results. Some studies have identified a wide disparity between organizational rhetoric and actual practices of the drug court. Research must match findings to particular drug court practices. This is the only way to determine which specific policies and practices yield intended results and which do not. A particular difficulty experienced by drug courts is the establishment of a cooperative relationship between court and treatment professionals, whose values, goals, and methods may sometimes conflict. 2 tables and 34 references

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