NCJ Number
239075
Date Published
February 2010
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the results of a survey to assess the needs of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts.
Abstract
This survey of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts focused on four primary areas: 1) basic information about the court, including the name of and contact information for the court; 2) detailed information on the court, including funding information, common charges, enrollment information, and frequency of testing; 3) problems encountered and/or barriers to successful operation of the Wellness Court; and 4) references for national, regional, and onsite training and technical assistance. The survey was sent to any Tribal justice system that is interested in, currently has, or has had in the past an operational Tribal Wellness Court. The survey found that 29 of the 48 respondents had an active Wellness Court. The survey also found that a majority of the active Wellness Courts were adult courts, with some tribal systems have combined juvenile/adult courts; the major source of funding for the courts were either Bureau of Justice Assistance grants or tribal funding, with most receiving funding at the $150,000 - $250,000 range; and 75 percent of participants in the courts entered the programs post-adjudication, after the plea or finding of guilt. Additional survey results include information on types of offenses and charges filed against participants, successful sanctions and/or incentives used with program participants, issues or barriers encountered in efforts to provided training for staff, and recidivism rates for program participants. Tables, figures, and appendixes