title: Examining the Impact of Prior Criminal Justice History on 2-Year Recidivism Rates: A Comparison of Drug Court Participants and Program Referrals.
abstract: Drug courts seek to break the cycle of substance use and crime by providing a community-based intervention to individuals with criminal justice involvement and substance-related issues. This study examined recidivism over a 2-year follow-up period as well as factors associated with recidivism for a sample of drug court participants (i.e., graduates and terminators) and a non-equivalent comparison group (i.e., individuals referred/assessed for the program who did not enter). In the 2-year follow-up window, fewer drug court graduates had any convictions compared with program terminators and referrals; specifically, fewer drug court graduates had drug trafficking convictions compared with program terminators and referrals. Fewer graduates were arrested and incarcerated in jail and/or prison in the 2-year follow-up; furthermore, graduates had spent less time incarcerated compared with program terminators and referrals. Demographics (i.e., age, race, marital status) and prior criminal justice system involvement were associated with recidivism; however, these factors had differential impacts for the three groups (i.e., graduates, terminators, and referrals). Drug court shows promise as a community-based intervention that helps keep individuals out of the criminal justice system during a 2-year follow-up period.
authors.affiliation: 1 Morehead State University, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: 1 Morehead State University, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Afton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jackson Jones
authors.affiliation: 1 Morehead State University, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newell
authors.affiliation: 2 Kentucky Court of Justice, Frankfort, USA.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D000075665:Recidivism / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: drug court; recidivism; rehabilitation; substance abuse