The Adult Drug Courts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine: An Analysis of Effectiveness and...
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Transcript of The Adult Drug Courts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine: An Analysis of Effectiveness and...
The Adult Drug Courts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine: An
Analysis of Effectiveness and Barriers to Expansion
Prepared by:Jaya Batra ‘13
Austin Goldberg ’13Adam Nasser ‘15Portia Schultz ‘15
The Drug Court ModelParticipants:
-History of drug use
-Nonviolent crime
-Must plead guilty
-Resident of the county
-Must have transportation
The Drug Court Model:
-BJA’s 10 Criteria
-12 to 18 months
-Random AOD testing
-Upon completion: no prison, felony expunged
-The drug court team
Recovery
Savings
Social Benefits
Drug Courts Nationally• 1970s and 80s: increased drug use overcrowded prisons
• 2,600+ in the U.S.
• GAO Study on Recidivism- Participants: 6-26% lower- Graduates: 12-58% lower
• Annual incarceration cost: $20,000-$50,000 per inmate
• Annual drug court cost: $9,000-$12,000 per participant
Criteria for Evaluation
1. Recidivism Rates
2. Cost-Effectiveness
3. Impact Across Gender, Race, and Age
4. Social Consequences
New Hampshire
Has a drug court
Developing a drug court
New Hampshire: Strafford•Operationalized in 2006 with DOJ start-up grant
•Key Statistics-54% graduation rate with 100 graduates-10% have recidivated (new felony/misdemeanor)-Corrections vs. Drug Courts: $84/day vs. $9/day
• Implemented female-only treatment groups
New Hampshire: Grafton
• Operationalized in 2007 with $20,000 DOJ start-up grant
• Promising outcomes for 27 graduates:
-Recidivism: 9-10% vs. 67% for traditionally incarcerated
nationwide
-Per person costs of $2,500 vs. $9,000-$12,000 nationally
Vermont
Has a drug court
VermontChittenden•Recidivism:
-36-40% for participants
-14% for graduates
•Cost: -$85 per day cheaper than jail
•Graduation:-624 enrolled, 482 graduated (77%)
Rutland•Recidivism:
-60% for participants-22% for graduates
•Cost: -$3 return on each dollar invested
•Graduation:-36% graduation rate
Maine
• Currently, 5 counties with drug courts-1,435 participants as of 2012
• Recidivism: 17% drug courts v. 33% traditionally incarcerated (ME study)
• Cost: $3.30 saved for $1 spent
• Additional Benefits-60 drug free-births since 2001
-$750,000-1,400,000 lifetime savings
Policy Research Shop
Cost-Benefit Analysis
* Model uses data from Rutland County to extrapolate savings for 50 and 100 new participants
Policy Research Shop
Key Takeaways• Drug courts seem to be an effective alternative to
incarceration in NH, ME, and VT– Reduced recidivism, except Penobscot County, ME– Long-term cost savings
• Common demographic characteristics– Lower graduation rates for female and young participants
• BJA grants serve as a primary source of funding
Policy Research Shop
Keys to Success• Clear criteria for termination
• Treatment activities as sanctions
• Ongoing judicial interaction
• Targeted programs for female clients
• Expeditious referral time
• Separate participants by level of risk
Policy Research Shop
The Future of Drug Courts
Deterrent: Cost & Infrastructure
•National Drug Court Institute cites cost as primary obstacle to drug court expansion
•Large, upfront grant required to initiate program
•Court cost usually absorbed by county budget
Policy Research Shop
The Future of Drug Courts
Deterrent: Perception & Ideology
•Are Drug Courts “soft” on crime?
•Additional treatment vs. incarceration
Policy Research Shop
Conclusion• Drug courts as an effective alternative to incarceration in NH,
ME, and VT:– Reduce recidivism– Promote recovery– Create cost-savings
• Analysis limited by small sample sizes
• Policy Options:– Greater financial support– Tailor programs to key demographics – Adoption of best-practices