The Impact on Criminal Behavior and Participant Attitudes: Results from NIJ's Multi-Site Adult Drug Court Evaluation

Abstract

The Urban Institute, the Center for Court Innovation, and RTI International conducted NIJ's Multi-Site Adult Drug Court Evaluation, which focused on 23 drug courts and 6 comparison jurisdictions in 8 states. This presentation covers the impact of adult drug courts on 1) criminal behavior, 2) incarceration, 3) perceived fairness of the court and judge, and 4) perceived threat of sanctions for noncompliance. It also examines the widely discussed drug-crime nexus: does treatment attendance and reduced drug use lead directly to less re-offending.

The text below is an excerpt from the complete document. Read the full presentation in PDF format.

About the Study

• Research Partnership: The Urban Institute, Center for Court Innovation, & Research Triangle Institute, with funding from theNational Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Drug Court vs. Comparison Sites:
  • Drug Court: 23 sites in 7 geographic clusters (n = 1,156)
  • Comparison: 6 sites in 4 geographic clusters (n = 625)
• Repeated Measures: baseline and multiple follow-ups:
  • Interviews at baseline, 6 months, 18 months
  • Oral fluids drug test at 18 months
  • Official recidivism records up to 24 months

(The full presentation is also available in PDF format.)

Usage and reprints: Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site and may be used and copies made for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required. Posting UI research papers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact [email protected].

If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.

Disclaimer: The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned or controlled by the Urban Institute.