scholarly journals The Family Framework in a Drug Treatment Court

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 237802311876146
Author(s):  
Daanika Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Drug Court ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Institutional Practices ◽  
Predominately White ◽  
Program Selection ◽  
The Family ◽  
Ethnographic Observation ◽  
State Projects ◽  
Treatment Court

Drug courts reflect an expanding effort to transform the state’s response to drug crimes. Such programs merge punitive and therapeutic strategies in efforts to rehabilitate clients. The author takes the case of one drug court to elaborate on a set of institutional practices characterizing this mode of intervention. On the basis of ethnographic observation of the court’s weekly review hearings, interviews with program professionals, and analysis of documents and media accounts, the author describes the centrality of the “family framework”—the idea that clients are childlike and “grow up” in the context of the program—to the priorities, norms, and practices of drug court professionals. The family framework relied on raced and classed constructs of dependence and deservingness. These constructs shaped program selection and completion, enabling the court to focus on a predominately white and often middle-class client base. The author suggests that this case clarifies how state projects can both intensively regulate and circumscribe their scope to a population deemed worthy.

scholarly journals The Effects of Race and Ethnicity on Admission, Graduation, and Recidivism in the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Alyssa M. Sheeran ◽  
Amanda J. Heideman
Keyword(s):  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Milwaukee County ◽  
Drug Treatment Court ◽  
Prior Record ◽  
Treatment Court ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Drug courts play a key role in the criminal justice system by diverting individuals from incarceration and providing them with resources to address substance use issues and reduce criminal recidivism. However, it is unclear whether drug courts reflect—or even exacerbate—preexisting racial/ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system. While prior literature has offered some insight into the influence of race and ethnicity on drug court success, much of the focus has been on outcomes (i.e., program completion and recidivism) rather than disparities at earlier stages (i.e., referral to admittance). The current study adds to this body of research by evaluating the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court to examine whether racial/ethnic disparities exist at several stages of the drug court process: (1) referral to admittance, (2) likelihood of graduation, and (3) likelihood of recidivism. Results of the analyses determined racial/ethnic disparities in the likelihood of admission to the drug court, as well as the likelihood of graduation. There were no racial/ethnic disparities found in the likelihood of recidivism. The analyses also identified several additional variables that were influential in the likelihood of admission (risk score, prior record), likelihood of graduation (age, prior record, custody sanctions), and recidivism (drug court outcome).

Improving graduation rates in drug court: A qualitative study of participants’ lived experiences

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Robert Gallagher ◽  
Anne Nordberg ◽  
Elyse Lefebvre
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Criminal Recidivism ◽  
Frequent Contact

For nearly three decades, drug courts have provided a rehabilitative approach within the criminal justice system for individuals who have a substance use disorder. The goal of drug courts is to reduce criminal recidivism, and research has consistently suggested that participants that graduate drug court are less likely to recidivate than those who are terminated from the program. This qualitative study adds to the literature by asking drug court participants ( N = 42) their views on the most helpful aspects of the program that support them in graduating and how the program could be more helpful to support them in graduating. Two themes emerged from the data: (1) participants felt that interventions that are common to drug courts, such as drug testing and having frequent contact with the judge, were most helpful in supporting them in graduating the program; (2) participants felt that the agencies that offered treatment for their substance use disorders used punitive tactics and judgmental approaches that compromised the quality of treatment they received, and they felt that this was a barrier to them graduating the program. The findings are discussed in reference to drug court practice.

Validating Drug Court Collaboration Instrument: Differences in Model Adherence Between Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 1990-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohan Mei ◽  
Jacqueline G. van Wormer ◽  
Ruibin Lu ◽  
Mia J. Abboud ◽  
Faith E. Lutze
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Juvenile Courts ◽  
Black Boxes ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Guiding Principles ◽  
Better Than

Drug courts aim to significantly address drug abuse and drug-related criminality. However, the effectiveness of drug courts varies from court to court. The variation of success demands insights regarding what is going on inside the “black box” of drug court practices. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate to what extent drug courts are operated in adherence with guiding principles and strategies. Using a national sample and validated measures, the current article examines the “black boxes” of adult and juvenile drug courts across the country. We found that, in general, adult drug courts face less model adherence challenges in comparison with juvenile courts, which may, in part, explain why adult drug courts perform better than juvenile drug courts overall.

scholarly journals Treating Opioid Use Disorders in Drug Court: Participants’ Views on Using Medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs) to Support Recovery

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Gallagher ◽  
Elizabeth A. Wahler ◽  
Raychel M. Minasian ◽  
Abigail Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dade County ◽  
Criminal Recidivism ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Behavioral Therapies ◽  
Opioid Use Disorders

Drug courts began in 1989 in Miami-Dade County, FL. Due to their success in treating substance use disorders and reducing criminal recidivism, they have expanded globally and are currently operating in countries such as Australia, Canada, and Scotland, to name a few. Drug courts can be a key intervention in addressing the opioid epidemic. This is the first known qualitative study to ask drug court participants ( n = 38) who have opioid use disorders questions related to their lived experiences in drug court, as well as direct questions related to the use of medication-assisted treatments (MATs) in drug court. Overall, drug court participants felt that MATs were helpful for treating their opioid use disorders; however, some participants reported using other drugs while on MATs and they viewed their recovery through a harm reduction lens. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of using MATs in combination with counseling that used cognitive and behavioral therapies. Implications for drug court practice and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Drug Courts and Community Crime Rates: A Nationwide Analysis of Jurisdiction-Level Outcomes

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Lilley
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Vehicle Theft ◽  
Current Drug ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Violent Offenses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Analysis Of Jurisdiction

Although a substantial number of studies have reported that drug courts reduced the recidivism of graduates (Wilson et al., 2006), a series of recent analyses suggested that drug courts and similar programs were associated with unintended crime outcomes in cities and counties across the nation (Lilley and Boba, 2008; Miethe et al., 2000; Peters et al., 2002; Worrall et al., 2009). Given that over 220,000 offenders participated in this alternative to incarceration and most did not successfully complete the drug court program, jurisdictional crime may have been impacted. A series of panel data analyses were conducted among more than 5,000 jurisdictions nationwide from 1995 to 2002 to assess the impact of drug court implementation grants on UCR Part I felony offenses. Consistent with prior findings, drug court implementation grants were associated with net increases in vehicle theft, burglary, larceny, and some violent offenses. Possible explanations for these unintended outcomes are discussed along with recommendations for adjustments to current drug court programs across the nation.

scholarly journals AT DRIKKE ÆBLETE: Om håndteringen af kulturforskelle i institutioner

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Hvenegård-Lassen
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
The Other ◽  
Institutional Practices ◽  
Cultural Encounters ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family

The title of this article, “Drinking Apple Tea”, refers to the account of a social worker visiting the family of his drug-addicted client. While the visit proceeds in silence, the social worker finds his own frustration rising: “We just sit there and drink apple tea. What am I doing here?” This story points to the fact that cultural differences are difficult to manage within the institutions of the Danish welfare state, since they tend to fall outside the scope of established universal categorizations and norms that form the basis for institutional practices. On the basis of an understanding of cultural encounters that emphasize the creativity of human agency, as well as the institutional fixation of hegemonic norms, the article discusses specific encounters involving majority institutions and ethnic minorities in Denmark. The analysis focuses on the ways cultural differences are either suppressed or displaced as irrelevant factors, or emerge as catchall explanations for the behavior of ethnic minorities. This pattern is to a large extent attributable to the institutional norms and practices that implicitly limit diversity. In some cases, a universal view of human nature means that difference becomes deviance; whilst in others, a focus on cultural difference reduces diversity resulting in stereotypical generalizations of the Other. One way of distributing culture and difference in alternative ways could result from a heightened awareness of the institutional rationalities and practices among the employees.

scholarly journals Community-Engaged Research (CER) as the Avenue to Promoting Well-being and Recovery in Drug Court

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Robert Gallagher ◽  
Anne Nordberg ◽  
Raychel Minasian ◽  
Sydney Szymanowski ◽  
Jesse Carlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Recidivism Rate ◽  
Criminal Recidivism ◽  
Community Engaged Research

Drug courts are an alternative to incarceration for individuals who have substance use disorders and have been arrested for drug-related crimes (e.g. possession of a controlled substance). The first drug court began in 1989 in Florida and it is estimated that there are over 3,000 drug courts now operating throughout the United States.  This community-engaged research (CER) evaluated the St. Joseph County (Indiana) drug court by identifying who was most likely to graduate, who was most likely to recidivate, and whether drug court or probation was more effective at reducing criminal recidivism.  Furthermore, although drug courts are found in many communities, research rarely describes the process used to develop and implement CER.  Therefore, this article also highlights the collaborative process used in this drug court evaluation.   The findings from this study suggest that the St. Joseph County (Indiana) drug court is an effective program at reducing criminal recidivism and a valuable resource for individuals who have substance use disorders, the community, and other stakeholders. Drug court participants were less likely to recidivate than probationers, and a lower recidivism rate clearly equates to many benefits to the community.  The article concludes with community-based implications, such as starting recovery support groups that are welcoming to individuals who receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT), marketing drug court to racial and ethnic minorities to increase their representation in drug court, and disseminating research findings throughout the community via local news stories and public lectures.

The Drug Court Team and Discretionary Decision-Making: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Sanctioning Responses to Continued Participant Alcohol and Other Drug Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-48
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Gibbs ◽  
Tusty ten Bensel ◽  
Madison K. Doyle ◽  
William Wakefield
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Drug Court ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Drug Courts ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Participant Characteristics

Drug courts attempt to gain participant compliance and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use abstinence through a strategy of moderate and progressive sanctioning, but its discretionary application possesses the capacity for disparity across participants and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the drug court team’s (DCT) discretionary use of sanctions in response to continued participant AOD use. A mixed-methods approach was used for analyzing agency data ( n = 1,032) and interviews of five members of the DCT. Data were collected from an adult felony drug court over a 6-year period (2008–2013) and use to answer the following research question: “What participant characteristics and program performance measures affected sanctioning outcomes?” We found that offender attributes did play a role in the sanctioning decision, but program performance measures were stronger predictors of sanction type.

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