NCJ Number
212532
Date Published
April 2005
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This report presents outcome evaluations for three therapeutic courts in Anchorage, AK.
Abstract
In 2004, the Judicial Council evaluated three therapeutic courts designed to address the needs of alcohol and drug involved defendants in Anchorage: the federally-funded Anchorage Felony Drug Court (Drug Court), the Anchorage Felony Driving While Intoxicated Court (DUI Court), and the Bethel Therapeutic Court. Data included demographic and criminal justice information on 154 defendants who had participated in 1 of the 3 programs as well as information on comparison groups for each of the therapeutic courts. Evaluation findings indicated significant cost benefits of using therapeutic courts, which included reductions in days of incarceration for the therapeutic court graduates compared to comparison groups, along with fewer convictions and fewer remands to custody after they began the program. Those who participated in therapeutic courts also displayed greater family stability, better education and employment, and improvements for their children. Clients in therapeutic courts were disproportionately minorities, women, and defendants with public attorneys. Overall, the findings support the continuation and even the expansion of the therapeutic court programs. Longer follow-up evaluations are suggested to verify the continued effectiveness of the programming. Footnotes, Tables, figures, appendix