NCJ Number
176901
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings from a 2-year evaluation of the Madison County Assessment and Treatment Alternative Court (drug court) in Illinois; it includes both quantitative and qualitative data regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the drug court.
Abstract
The drug court was an effort to divert offenders into treatment as an alternative to trial and potential incarceration. Initially, clients are scheduled for three to five intensive outpatient sessions per week, with each session lasting three or four hours. Progression through the program is based on the participant's response to treatment, with the first phase typically lasting 1 to 3 months. Clients then graduate to phase 2, in which they attend two or three 1-hour sessions per week, usually for 8 to 12 months. During phase 3, clients come to treatment every other week for a 1- to 2-hour session while maintaining employment, attending school, or training. After several management information reports documented low enrollment figures, the steering committee agreed to start a second track of clients as a method to encourage offender to use drug court services. Track II clients are offenders who have violated the terms of their probation and face probation revocations. Although Track II did not improve overall recruitment, it showed positive results could be achieved by offenders with intensive criminal justice involvement. Track I had a completion rate of 22 percent, with a retention rate of 46 percent. Although Track II produced no graduates upon the completion of data collection, the retention rate was 82 percent. With respect to effectiveness, the project succeeded with program graduates. Substantial progress also was noted with Track II participants and late dropouts in Track I. Clients who dropped out early showed little or no progress. The evaluation examined recidivism of four cohorts. Criminal recidivism was significantly reduced, and the number of participants who became drug-free and employed significantly increased. The evaluation concludes that the program merits commendation for its commitment to improving the lives of its participants and making Madison County a safer community. Recommendations pertain to improving retention and graduation rates. 3 figures