NCJ Number
206801
Date Published
July 2004
Length
136 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of an evaluation of drug testing in the criminal justice system in nine pilot sites throughout England and Wales beginning in September 2001.
Abstract
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the structure of the report. Chapter 2 presents the policy context for the introduction of drug testing in the criminal justice system and analyzes how the policies have evolved. The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 set the provisions for the use of drug testing for the presence of Class A drugs for individuals aged 18 and over who have been charged or convicted of any of the “trigger offenses,” which include property crimes, robbery, and specified Class A drug offenses. Chapter 3 reviews the drug testing provisions of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; the testing provisions include five elements: (1) on-charge testing within police stations; (2) pre-sentence testing when a community sentence is considered; (3) testing under a Drug Abstinence Order (DOA); (4) testing under a Drug Abstinence Requirement (DAR) as a condition of a community sentence; and (5) testing as part of a condition of release from prison for 18 to 22-year-olds. Chapter 4 presents the research brief and the methodology of the pilot program evaluation. The evaluation focused on a process and structure audit, an effectiveness or outcomes analysis, and a cost-benefit analysis. Nine pilot sites were chosen to cover a variety of different situations reflecting the differences inherent in policing and criminal justice practices across jurisdictions. Chapters 5 through 7 present summary evaluation findings regarding on-charge testing, testing under DAO’s and DAR’s, and testing on license or under notice of supervision. Information is provided concerning the numbers of tests performed, characteristics of those being tested, and detainee views on being tested. The ways in which testing may affect behavior are explored. Costs of testing are reviewed and compared with outcomes and funding levels. Chapter 8 presents evaluation findings as a whole, while Chapter 9 presents concluding remarks. Between September 2001 and October 2003, 17,586 drug tests were conducted on 11,276 detainees in police stations, 1,462 DAR and 82 DAO drug tests were conducted, and 572 testing requirements were issued for offenders released on license or under notice of supervision. The areas implemented most of the interventions well. Tables, figures, appendix, references