Examining the relationship between criminogenic needs, drug court program length, and individual outcomes

• In Event: Drugs, Alcohol, and Problem-Solving Courts

Abstract

Recent policy changes have been aimed at implementing evidence based practices and responding to offenders’ supervision and treatment needs in the community. Such policies are bringing higher risk-higher needs participants into drug court settings. Criminal justice interventions that target multiple criminogenic needs produce better individual outcomes, however, evidence guiding drug courts in addressing these needs is lacking. The relationship between time spent in the program, criminogenic needs, and outcomes is one area requiring study. Drug courts often move participants through a series of structured phases dictating the levels of treatment, supervision, and monitoring as they progress through the program. In general, the intensity of services and program requirements decrease while levels of personal responsibility increase as participants advance. Despite the pervasive use of phases, relatively little direction is offered regarding how they should be structured in terms of program requirements and duration. The current study explores the relationship between number of criminogenic needs, time in phase, program completion, and recidivism in a felony level drug court using a sample of high and moderate risk participants (n=250). Policy and practice implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Wendy P. Guastaferro, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• David Holleran, The College of New Jersey

• Allyson Walker Franklin, John Jay College of Criminal Justice