NCJ Number
242496
Date Published
September 2012
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This fact sheet provides guidance on the development of a structured, research-based system of rewards and sanctions in achieving the modification of drug-using behavior in a drug court program.
Abstract
The rationale for a system of rewards and sanctions in a drug court program is to provide incentives for desirable behaviors and adverse consequences for undesirable behaviors. In designing such a system, this guide advises balancing positive reinforcement with punishment. The guide advises that the most influential factor in behavior modification is participants' certainty that they will be rewarded for accomplishments and sanctioned for infractions. This requires that participants' behaviors be reliably monitored in order to ensure that rewards and punishments reflect confirmed behaviors. Guidelines for drug testing and supervision techniques are discussed as means for monitoring participants' behaviors for the purpose of dispensing rewards and punishments. So as to sustain behavioral changes over time, this guide recommends that courts conduct status hearings no less than every 2 weeks for at least the first several months of the program. Further into the program, status hearings should be held monthly until participants have engaged in their continuing-care plans. In discussing the magnitude of rewards and punishments, the guide advises that rewards are effective at low to moderate magnitudes, and sanctions are most effective at intermediate levels. Other issues discussed are due process procedures associated with sanctions, the use of a gradually escalating sequence of consequences for failed drug tests, and the adjustment of reward and sanction magnitudes in various program phases. Each section of the guide is summarized with Practice Pointers. 9 suggested readings and 27 references