NCJ Number
233992
Date Published
June 2001
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and methodology of an evaluation of the Brooklyn Treatment Court (BTC), which was established to provide substantial drug treatment and supervision for severely addicted women facing drug felony charges.
Abstract
The evaluation concluded that the BTC resulted in significant improvements in the level of drug use and reoffending among program participants. Using proven professional standards for treatment in general and drug courts in particular, BTC's implementation of the model and provision of treatment was outstanding. The BTC was successful in meeting standards for effective drug treatment advocated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), as well as the model drug court principles outlined by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). Clients in the program had substantial criminal justice oversight while receiving drug treatment directed by case managers and the court. The court demonstrated an understanding of the unique needs of drug-addicted offenders by responding to their successes and relapses with a graduated program of sanctions and incentives. The few weaknesses in the court's programming appear to be a function of early failures to engage a high-risk group of clients, rather than systematic failures in managing this population. BTC resulted in the reduced likelihood of self-reported use of drugs in the 30 days prior to the follow-up interview on three of the five measures: any drug use, any stronger drug use, any "other" drug use, and any use of alcohol to intoxication. BTC reduced crime as measured by the likelihood of self-reported criminal offending in the 6 months before the follow-up interview. The BTC had no impact on self-reported measures of economic well-being and health following participation in BTC. 11 tables, 24 references, and appended drug testing protocol, and consent forms